Pune: The Central govt's proposed amendment that would increase the period for issuing unique disability ID (UDID) cards from one month to three months has sparked concerns among activists who fear it will create additional obstacles for those seeking disability certificates for education or employment. The move comes following the case of probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who obtained multiple disability certificates under different names and addresses. On July 29, the ministry of social justice published the draft change to Rule 18 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules 2017 and allowed people time till the end of August to file suggestions and objections.
However, the draft does not clarify when the three-month period begins. "Presently, rules specify that the certificate shall be issued within one month ‘from the date of receipt of the application'. In contrast, the amendment proposes that a certificate and a UDID shall be issued within three months ‘in case any disability is diagnosed, but it isn't clear when we can presume that disability is diagnosed'.
So, the objectivity is lacking which will delay the already delayed process for genuine applicants," Shashank Pandey, a Delhi-based lawyer and founder of Politics and Disability Forum, said. Pandey further said there are no proportional amendments to provide for any accountability or punitive measures against medical authority/administration in case of breach of this time frame. The lawyer along with others has urged the Centre to reduce the proposed time frame after holding consultations with activists, doctors, and persons with disabilities.
Professor Anita Ghai, academician and disability activist, said the three-month period will only delay the process. She also raised her objection to the purpose of UDID cards when there are disability certificates already issued by medical boards. "It is only making things difficult for the sector.
" Already there are several issues regarding UDID cards and a further delay may increase corruption, disability activist Rizwan Sheikh said. "Just because of some people using fraudulent means, the genuine ones are made to suffer." Muralidharan, general secretary of National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled, said the proposed change may not effectively address the actual problem of fake certificates.
Officials from the ministry told TOI on Tuesday that they would collate all the suggestions and then incorporate the feasible ones for implementation. "We have received several recommendations and will closely study and take a call on them soon," an official said..
