This document pertains to Unstarred Question No. 1572, raised in Lok Sabha and scheduled to be answered on 09/12/2025, regarding accessibility improvements in government buildings, bus stands, hospitals, etc., in Dahod, and whether the Ministry has sanctioned special projects in a tribal district like Dahod.
The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment (Shri B L Verma) stated that since land and buildings are state subjects, the respective state government is responsible for ensuring accessibility. The central government, through the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), implements the SIPDA Act, 2016, which includes the "Scheme for Creation of Barrier Free Environment" (CBFE Scheme). This provides financial assistance to States/UTs for creating barrier-free environments in existing government buildings based on demand and receipt of compliant proposals. However, the Department has not received any compliant proposal for creation of a barrier-free environment at Dahod from the State Government of Gujarat. District-wise details are not maintained centrally.
Key Entities Referenced
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: This act mandates accessibility measures, placing responsibility on the appropriate government.
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD): The department implements schemes to facilitate accessibility improvements.
Scheme for Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (SIPDA) Act, 2016: An umbrella scheme for implementation of rights of persons with disabilities applicable across India.
"Scheme for Creation of Barrier Free Environment” (CBFE Scheme): A component of SIPDA providing financial assistance for creating barrier-free environments.
Dahod: A tribal district, location of concern regarding accessibility improvements.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1572
TO BE ANSWERED ON- 09/12/2025
ACCESSIBLE IMPROVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS
1572. Shri Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to
state:
(a) the status of accessibility improvement in the Government buildings, bus stands,
hospitals, etc., in Dahod; and
(b) whether the Ministry has sanctioned special projects in a tribal district like Dahod, if so, the
details thereof ?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI B L VERMA)
(a) to (b): Since ‘Works, lands and buildings vested in or in the possession of the State is a
State subject, and as per Sections 41, 44 and 45 of the Rights Of Person with Disabilities Act,
2016, the appropriate government is responsible to take steps to ensure accessible built
infrastructure, transport systems and accessible ICT to ensure that different schemes meet
accessibility requirements. District-wise details are not maintained centrally. To facilitate the
States/UTs, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) implements
an Umbrella Scheme- Scheme for Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities
(SIPDA) Act, 2016 applicable across India. It has a component - “Scheme for Creation of
Barrier Free Environment” (CBFE Scheme) through which financial assistance is provided to
State/UT Governments on demand basis for creation of barrier free environment in existing
government buildings and establishments as per receipt of compliant proposals. Under this
component, the Department has not received any compliant proposal for creation of barrier
free environment at Dahod from the State Government of Gujarat.
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