The month long Winter Session of Parliament which began on 16th of last month came to a close with both the Houses adjourned sine die today. The winter session of Parliament witnessed repeated disruptions resulting in virtual washout. However, on the fag end of the session, the Lok Sabha passed the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2016 unanimously. <br/><br/>The Rajya Sabha had passed it earlier. In the Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohd Hamid Ansari expressed anguish over the crippling of the House during the session. The House was adjourned sine die without transacting any substantial business on the last day today.<br/><br/>In his valedictory remarks, Mr Ansari observed, regular and continuous disruptions characterized the Session. He said the symbolism of dignified protests, so essential for orderly conduct of parliamentary proceedings, was abandoned. He felt that the standoff deprived the members the opportunity to seek accountability of the executive through questions and discussions on matters of public interest. <br/><br/>The Chairman regretted that the rules prohibiting shouting slogans, displaying posters and obstructing proceedings by leaving their assigned places were consistently ignored by all sections of the House. He also observed, peace prevailed in the House only when obituaries were read. Mr Ansari appealed to all sections of the House to introspect on the distinction between dissent, disruption and agitation. However, he appreciated the passage of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 in the House. <br/><br/>The Bill replaces the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. Replying to a debate on the bill in the Lok Sabha, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawar Chand Gehlot said, the number of categories of disabilities have been increased from seven to 21 so that the Divyangs could get the benefits of various schemes at the Centre and State level. The new categories include, speech and language disability, specific learning disability, acid attack victim, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy and three blood disorders, Thalassemia, Hemophilia and Sickle Cell disease.<br/><br/>He said, the Bill also seeks to enhance reservation for Divyangs in government jobs from 3 per cent to 4 per cent.The Bill also provides for penalties for offences committed against persons with disabilities. Designated special Courts have been proposed to handle cases concerning violation of rights of such persons. Mr Gehlot also said, there is there is also a provision for setting up of advisory boards at national and state levels.<br/><br/>The Minister further said that strengthening of the Office of Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities and State Commissioners of Disabilities has been proposed which will act as regulatory bodies and Grievance Redressal agencies and also monitor implementation of the Act. The bill also provides for creation of National and State Fund to provide financial support to the persons with disabilities.<br/><br/>Initiating the debate on the bill, K C Venugopal of Congress welcomed it. He however expressed concern over reduction of job quota from 5 to 4 per cent. He said, legislation proposed by the UPA government had made the provision of 5 per cent reservation. Manoj Rajoria of BJP said, the bill will take care of the needs of persons with disabilities. Sougata Roy of TMC also supported the legislation and demanded that public representatives should be included in the proposed advisory boards.<br/> '

Both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die for Winter Session with the passage of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2016 in Lok Sabha today.<br/><br/>Parliament has passed the 'Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2016' with Lok Sabha approving it today after a brief debate. The Rajya Sabha has already passed it. The Bill replaces the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. <br/><br/>Replying to a debate on the bill, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawar Chand Gehlot said, the number of categories of differently-abled have been increased from seven to 21 so that the Divyangs could have the benefits of various schemes at the Centre and State level. <br/><br/>The new categories include, speech and language disability, specific learning disability, acid attack victim, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy and three blood disorders, Thalassemia, Hemophilia and Sickle Cell disease. He said, the Bill also seeks to enhance reservation for Divyangs in government jobs from 3 percent to 4 percent. <br/><br/>Designated special Courts have been proposed to handle cases concerning violation of rights of such persons. Mr Gehlot also said, there is there is also a provision for setting up of advisory boards at national and state levels.<br/><br/>The Minister said that strengthening of the Office of Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities and State Commissioners of Disabilities has been proposed which will act as regulatory bodies and Grievance Redressal agencies and also monitor implementation of the Act. <br/><br/>Initiating the debate on the bill, K C Venugopal of Congress welcomed it. He however expressed concern over reduction of job quota from 5 to 4 percent. He said, legislation proposed by the UPA government had made the provision of 5 percent reservation. Manoj Rajoria of BJP said, the bill will take care of the needs of differently-abled persons. Sougata Roy of TMC also supported the legislation and demanded that public representatives should be included in the proposed advisory boards.<br/><br/>Later after passing the bill, the House was adjourned sine die. <br/><br/>Earlier, Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari expressed anguish over the disruption of the House during the Winter Session of Parliament. The House was adjourned sine die without transacting any substantial business on the last day today.<br/><br/>In his valedictory remarks, Mr Ansari observed, regular and continuous disruptions characterized the Session. He said the symbolism of dignified protests, so essential for orderly conduct of parliamentary proceedings, was abandoned. He felt that the standoff deprived the members the opportunity to seek accountability of the executive through questions and discussions on matters of public interest. The Chairman regretted that the rules prohibiting shouting slogans, displaying posters and obstructing proceedings by leaving their assigned places were consistently ignored by all sections of the House. Mr Ansari appealed to all sections of the House to introspect on the distinction between dissent, disruption and agitation. However, he appreciated the passage of the 'Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014' in the House. ' <br/>