New Delhi [India]: In a significant move to promote inclusivity and accessibility, Union Minister Manohar Lal on Thursday announced a 4% reservation for persons with disabilities (PwDs) in the allotment of central government residential accommodations.
This milestone decision aligns with the principles of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and is a part of the government’s broader vision under the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign).
According to an official release from the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs,
“In alignment with the RPwD Act, 2016, the Directorate of Estates has issued an Office Memorandum to ensure fair access to central government residential accommodations for persons with disabilities.”
The ministry emphasized that the initiative reaffirms the government’s commitment to equal opportunities and to building a more inclusive and accessible India.
Supreme Court Upholds Digital Accessibility
The announcement comes shortly after the Supreme Court of India issued a landmark judgment reinforcing the right to digital access as an intrinsic part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) case involving the challenges faced by acid attack survivors and visually impaired individuals in completing the eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) process, the apex court ruled that:
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) must issue inclusive guidelines for verifying customer identity.
- Alternative methods beyond eye blinking must be made available for “liveness detection” in digital KYC, to accommodate users with different disabilities.
- Video-based KYC (V-CIP) processes should not mandate eye blinking, a method inaccessible to some disabled users.
- Customer onboarding forms and KYC templates must be redesigned to record the type and percentage of disability, ensuring reasonable accommodation in banking and digital services.
These directives aim to dismantle barriers in digital inclusion and ensure fair access to government and financial services for persons with disabilities.