The Centre will bring a new law to replace the existing Persons with Disability Act 1995 to harmonise the rights and facilities provided for persons with disabilities at par with international standards.

Addressing the 11th meeting of the State Commissioners for Persons with disabilities, the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Mukul Wasnik said his ministry is working on a draft legislation for empowerment of persons with disabilities in line with the United Nations Convention on rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

He said, drafting of the new law is in the final stage and will soon be placed for cabinet approval before being introduced in Parliament.

AIR correspondent reports, India had ratified the UNCRPD and the rights based approach of the UNCRPD had come into force with in May 2008. Expressing deep concern over the implementation of facilities and Schemes for persons with disabilities by the States, Mr. Wasnik said, that many states do not have a policy for persons with disabilities.

He also asked for the Websites of government departments to be made accessible to disabled persons so that they could utilize the facilities being provided by the government.

Speaking on the ocassion, the Minister of state for Social Justice and Empowerment D. Napolean said, a new Department of Disability Affairs has been created in the Ministry to undertake focussed and elaborate initiatives on disability issues.