9 years of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan

Syllabus :GS 2/Social Justice 

In News

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi marked 9 years of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan. 

Need of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan

• India, as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), had committed to creating an accessible environment for persons with disabilities. 
• However, prior to 2015, efforts lacked a cohesive strategy and enforceable timelines. 
• The Persons with Disabilities Act of 1995, while welfare-oriented, did not fully address accessibility challenges or empower persons with disabilities
  • In response, the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan was launched in 2015, focusing on making public buildings, transport networks, and digital platforms accessible.

About Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan

• It is a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, to ensure universal accessibility for persons with disabilities.
• It aims to provide equal opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate fully in all aspects of life and live independently.
• It focuses on creating an accessible physical environment, transportation system, and information & communication ecosystem.
  • The campaign’s objectives have been integrated into the Creation of Barrier-Free Environment Scheme under the Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA), ensuring continued efforts towards accessibility.

Key Achievements

• Accessible Infrastructure
  • Audits: 1,671 government buildings audited.
  • Funding: ₹562 crore released for retrofitting 1,314 buildings.
  • Retrofitting: Accessibility features incorporated into 1,748 government buildings.
• Transportation: Airports: 35 international and 55 domestic airports made accessible.
  • Railway Stations: 709 fully accessible, 4,068 partially accessible.
  • Buses: 8,695 (5.96%) fully accessible, 42,348 (29.05%) partially accessible.
  • Bus Stations: 3,120 out of 3,533 bus stations equipped with accessibility features.
• Digital Accessibility: Websites: 95 Central Government and 676 State Government websites made accessible.
• Education and Language Accessibility: Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre established.
  • Training: 1,013 individuals trained in Indian Sign Language.
  • 183 students completed the Diploma in Indian Sign Language Interpretation (DISLI).
• Media Accessibility: Published Accessibility Standards for TV Viewing for persons with hearing impairments.

Other Ongoing Efforts 

• Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD): Established in 2012, renamed in 2014.
  • Acts as a nodal agency for disability-related matters.

• Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS): DDRS is a central sector scheme to provide grant-in-aid to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for projects relating to the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities aimed at enabling persons with disabilities to reach and maintain their optimal, physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric, or socio-functional levels.
• District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC): Addresses needs through early identification, assistive devices, loans, and awareness.
  • Acts as an outreach center for National Institutes.
• Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP) Scheme: Provides grants to agencies to assist persons with disabilities in procuring aids and appliances.
• Schemes for Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 (SIPDA): It is a comprehensive “Central Sector Scheme” that encompasses 10 sub-schemes following its revision during the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) meeting on 11th August 2021.
• Divya Kala Mela: National-level fair dedicated to Divyangjan.
  • Celebrates contributions of Divyang artisans.
• PM-DAKSH: One-stop destination for skill training and employment for persons with disabilities.
  • Part of the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities.
• Financial Commitment: Budget Increase: Financial allocations increased from ₹560 crore in 2013-14 to ₹1,225.15 crore in 2023-24.
• ₹1,143.89 crore spent in 2023-24, highest in a decade.

Future Outlook 

• Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan has made significant strides in creating an inclusive society, addressing long-standing challenges, and setting a strong foundation for universal accessibility across infrastructure, transportation, digital platforms, and education. 
•  With sustained efforts and innovative solutions, the mission to empower every individual remains steadfast, ensuring equitable development for all.

Source :PIB