**Executive Summary**
This document presents the responses of the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the rehabilitation scheme for sanitation workers and accessibility for persons with disabilities in Maharashtra. Key topics include accessible infrastructure, housing and employment for sanitation workers, and conditions of hostels for Scheduled Caste/Tribe students. The responses refer to existing schemes and state government initiatives. The question was scheduled to be answered on 10/02/2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities:**
* Responsibility for accessible built infrastructure lies with the State government, as per The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
* The State Government of Maharashtra has informed that 137 buildings have been restructured to be accessible.
* The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) implements the Scheme for Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (SIPDA) Act, 2016, specifically the Scheme for Creation of Barrier Free Environment.
* Financial assistance is provided to State/UT Governments on demand-basis for creation of barrier free environment on receipt of compliant proposals.
* The Department has notified the Accessibility Code for Educational Institutions on January 10th, 2024.
* **School Infrastructure (UDISE+ 2024-25 Data):**
* Nationwide, 11.64 lakh schools have ramps, 8.08 lakh have ramps with handrails, and 5.23 lakh have CwSN-friendly toilets.
* In Maharashtra, 1,01,723 schools have ramps, 88,287 have ramps with handrails, and 67,668 have CwSN-friendly toilets.
* **Rehabilitation Scheme for Sanitation Workers:**
* The Government is not currently working on any specific scheme for permanent housing, employment, and rehabilitation for the sanitation workers' community in Maharashtra.
* **Hostels for Scheduled Caste/Tribe Students:**
* The State Government of Maharashtra monitors hostels for defects periodically and conducts structural audits if necessary.
* If a hostel is deemed unsafe, residents are immediately shifted to alternative locations.
* Repairs are conducted by the State PWD Department on priority.
**Impact Analysis**
**Impact**: State Government of Maharashtra
* **Impact**: Required to ensure accessibility in infrastructure, as per existing laws.
* **Action Required**: Continue restructuring buildings to make them accessible and continue monitoring hostels for defects, conduct audits, and repair as needed. Submit compliant proposals to the DEPwD to request financial assistance for creating barrier free environments.
**Impact**: Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD)
* **Impact**: Responsible for implementing SIPDA and the CBFE Scheme.
* **Action Required**: Continue to provide financial assistance to State/UT Governments for creating barrier free environments and ensure proper implementation of the SIPDA scheme.
**Impact**: Persons with Disabilities and Scheduled Caste/Tribe Students in Maharashtra
* **Impact**: Affected by the accessibility of infrastructure and the condition of hostels.
* **Action Required**: Advocate for better accessibility and hostel conditions and report any issues to the appropriate authorities.
Key Entities Referenced
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: A key piece of legislation cited regarding accessible infrastructure and the rights of people with disabilities.
Maharashtra: The primary location of concern regarding the accessibility of public spaces and conditions of hostels.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The central government body responsible for addressing the questions raised in the Lok Sabha.
Scheme for Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (SIPDA) Act, 2016: Umbrella Scheme implemented by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1733
TO BE ANSWERED ON- 10/02/2026
REHABILITATION SCHEME FOR SANITATION WORKERS
1733. SHRI BALYA MAMA SURESH GOPINATH MHATRE:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether relatively limited progress has been made in Maharashtra in making railway stations,
Government offices and schools accessible to the persons with disabilities, resulting in their
facing several challenges;
(b) if so, whether the Government considers it necessary to formulate a comprehensive and
effective plan or policy in this regard;
(c) whether the Government is working on any scheme for permanent housing employment and
rehabilitation for the sanitation workers' community in Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof,
district-wise;
(d) whether any Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe hostels functioning in Maharashtra are in
a dilapidated condition and are facing serious problems such as lack of basic amenities and
health services, thereby endangering the lives of students; and
(e) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to bring about improvements in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI B L VERMA)
(a) & (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 Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016,
the appropriate government is responsible to take steps to ensure accessible built infrastructure,transport systems and accessible ICT for PwDs and is also responsible to conduct regular social
audits/assessments and such data regarding the same is not maintained centrally. State Govt. of
Maharashtra has informed that a total of 137 buildings have already been restructured and made
accessible for Divyangjans.
To facilitate the central government departments/ministries, 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 having a sub-
component called- “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 on receipt of compliant proposals.
As per UDISE+ 2024-25, out of 14.71 lakh schools across the country:
i. 11.64 lakh schools have ramps;
ii. 8.08 lakh schools have ramps with handrails: and
iii. 5.23 lakh schools have CwSN-friendly toilets
In Maharashtra:
i. 1,01,723 schools have ramps;
ii. 88,287 schools have ramps with handrails; and
iii. 67,668 schools have CwSN-friendly toilets.
Also, the Department has notified the Accessibility Code for Educational Institutions on January
10th, 2024 and the same has been notified under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities(RPwD)
Rules, 2017 which includes accessibility standards, identification of barriers to access and
guidelines for conducting accessibility audit of existing buildings and vetting of plans of
upcoming/new constructions.
(c) No, Sir.
(d) & (e) It has been informed by the State Government of Maharastra that as a practice, all
hostels are monitored for minor and major defects periodically. In case any serious irreparable
deficiency is observed, immediate structural audit is conducted. In case of unsatisfactory audit
results, all hostellers are shifted immediately to alternate locations having all healthy and safe
conditions for residence. Meanwhile, the repairs are conducted through State PWD Department
on priority
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