Register under RPwD Act, NGOs, edu institutes told

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 23

With reference to a letter issued from the State Social Security Officer, the District Social Security Officer (DSSO) has cautioned all non-governmental organisations (NGOs), institutions and schools working for differently abled, to register themselves under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.

The DSSO said several institutions in the district were operating unlawfully. Hence, it was not only mandatory for them to get registered under the RPwD Act but also follow rules and conditions mentioned in the RPwD Rules, 2019. Subsequently, after visiting some of the schools, which had enrolled physically challenged children, DSSO Virinder Bains recently sealed Sath Childcare Development Centre, an NGO, that was running a school without registration.

Bains said action would be taken against offenders under Section 50 of the RPwD Act for not abiding by the set procedures.

There are 10 institutions which are working for PwDs in Jalandhar.

He said: “All voluntary organisations working for PwDs are informed that recognition of institutions for persons with disabilities under Section 50 & 51 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, is being initiated by the Department of Social Welfare. Hence, they are instructed to ensure their registration as soon as possible. Besides, the organisations will also have to send their reports after every three months to district-level officials concerned.”

In-addition, instructing all social activists/workers who want to work for the welfare of persons with disabilities, Bains said the activists would first have to register their organisations under the RPwD Act and afterwards, they would have to work for three years as social workers before officially running their organisations. For better care of children, the activists must also ensure that they had proper facilities and infrastructure for accommodating the physically challenged children.