**Summary:**
This document addresses Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 136, raised by Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan and Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P, concerning the representation of Divyangjans (Persons with Disabilities) in local government. The question asks whether the Government of India plans to introduce a bill to provide representation to Divyangjans in local governments, mirroring a recent resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Government.
The response from the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, clarifies that elections to local bodies (Panchayats and Municipalities) fall under the purview of individual states, as stipulated by Entry 5 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments of 1992 empower states to legislate on local governance, including representation in rural and urban local bodies. While these amendments mandate reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) proportionate to their population, and at least one-third reservation for women, provisions for political reservations for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in local bodies are determined by state-specific laws. Consequently, there is no uniform national mandate on this matter.
Key Entities Referenced
Panchayats: Local government bodies at the village or rural level in India.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for social justice and empowerment.
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities: A department under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment focused on the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan: Member of Parliament (MP) who raised the question regarding representation of Divyangjans in local government.
Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P: Another Member of Parliament (MP) who raised the question regarding representation of Divyangjans in local government.
Tamil Nadu Government: The government of the State of Tamil Nadu in India, which passed a resolution regarding representation of Divyangjans in local government.
Dr. Virendra Kumar: Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Constitution of India: The supreme law of India, which defines the framework for political principles, procedures, and powers of government.
Scheduled Castes: A group of historically disadvantaged communities in India, also known as SCs.
Scheduled Tribes: A group of historically disadvantaged indigenous communities in India, also known as STs.
73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments 1992: Amendments to the Constitution of India that provided constitutional status to Panchayats and Municipalities respectively, devolving powers to local governments.
Municipalities: Urban local bodies in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION No. *136
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29/07/2025
Representation of Divyangjans in Local Government
*136. Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan:
Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to/has any proposal to bring out a Bill to provide
representation to divyangjans in Local Government in the country on the lines and model of
Tamil Nadu Government which recently passed a resolution in this regard;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(Dr. VIRENDRA KUMAR)
(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.Statement referred to in reply to part (a) to (c) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 136
raised by Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan and Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P, Hon’ble MPs
regarding ‘Representation of Divyangjans in Local Government’ for answer on 29.07.2025
(a) to (c) The elections to local bodies such as Panchayats and Municipalities is a State
Subject by virtue of entry 5 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India
meaning individual States have the authority to legislate on this matter. The 73rd and 74th
Constitutional Amendments (1992) provide the States with the authority to legislate on local
governance structures, including representation in rural and urban local bodies. The amendments
require that seats in every panchayat/urban local bodies are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs)
and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in proportion to their population in that particular area. Further, at
least one-third of all seats including those reserved for SCs and STs must be reserved for women,
ensuring significant female participation. In addition, the amendments authorize State
legislatures to make provisions for reservation in favor of Backward Classes, if deemed
necessary. Therefore, the provisions for political reservations for PwDs in local bodies are
determined by state-specific laws, and there is no uniform national mandate.
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