**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1406 regarding the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, specifically addressing accessibility assessments, barrier-free government buildings, identified gaps, and steps to upgrade infrastructure. The response highlights that matters related to the 'Works, lands and buildings vested in or in the possession of the State' is a State subject. The response clarifies the roles and responsibilities of State/UT governments and the support provided by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). The question was set to be answered on December 9th, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **State Responsibilities:**
* 'Works, lands, and buildings vested in or in the possession of the State' are a State subject.
* As per Sections 41, 44, and 45 of The Rights Of Person with Disabilities Act, 2016, State governments are responsible for ensuring accessible built infrastructure, transport systems, and ICT for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
* State governments are responsible for conducting regular social audits to ensure schemes meet accessibility requirements.
* The details of the State's efforts are not maintained centrally by the Ministry.
* **DEPwD Support:**
* The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) implements the "Scheme for Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (SIPDA) Act, 2016," which includes the "Scheme for Creation of Barrier Free Environment" (CBFE Scheme).
* Financial assistance is provided to State/UT Governments on demand for barrier-free environments in existing government buildings and establishments, based on compliant proposals.
* DEPwD has empanelled sixty (60) accessibility auditors for built environment and sixteen (16) accessibility auditors for web accessibility.
* Governments and service providers can directly avail of the services of these empanelled auditors on mutually agreed terms for accessibility audits of public and private infrastructures.
**Impact Analysis**
**State/UT Governments**
* **Impact**
* Responsible for assessing and improving accessibility of infrastructure and systems.
* Can receive financial assistance from DEPwD through the CBFE Scheme.
* Can utilize empanelled accessibility auditors for conducting audits.
* **Action Required**
* Submit proposals for financial assistance under the CBFE Scheme.
* Take steps to ensure accessible built infrastructure, transport systems and accessible ICT for PwDs and is also responsible to conduct regular social audits
**Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)**
* **Impact**
* Potentially benefit from improved accessibility in infrastructure and systems.
* **Action Required**
* (Not Explicitly Stated - but implicitly, PwDs will hopefully be able to enjoy safer and more convenient accessibility)
**Service Providers (Public and Private)**
* **Impact**
* Have access to DEPwD empanelled auditors for accessibility audits of their infrastructure.
* **Action Required**
* Engage with the DEPwD empanelled auditors to undertake accessibility audits of both public and private infrastructures.
Key Entities Referenced
Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan: An accessibility campaign focused on public buildings, transportation systems, and digital services.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: A law ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities, particularly concerning accessible infrastructure and ICT.
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD): The department responsible for implementing schemes and empanelling accessibility auditors.
Scheme for Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (SIPDA) Act, 2016: An Umbrella Scheme to implement the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 with a sub-component to create Barrier Free Environment.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1406
TO BE ANSWERED ON - 09/12/2025
SUGAMYA BHARAT ABHIYAN
1406. Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh:
Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat:
Shri Mahendra Singh Solanky:
Shri KhagenMurmu:
Shri Manoj Tiwari:
Shri Mukeshkumar Chandrakaant Dalal:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to
state:
(a) the current status of accessibility assessments undertaken under the Sugamya Bharat
Abhiyan, particularly with respect to public buildings, transportation systems and digital
services;
(b) the percentage of Central, State, and district-level Government buildings that currently
comply with barrier-free standards;
(c) whether any gaps have been identified in the accessibility features of the Central, State and
district-level Government buildings; and
(d) if so, the details of steps being taken by the Ministry to support States/UTs in upgrading
remaining public infrastructure to meet accessibility norms, including timelines and performance
indicators ?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI B L VERMA)
(a) to (d) 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 for PwDs and is also responsible to conduct regular socialaudits to ensure that different schemes meet accessibility requirements and these details are not
being maintained centrally. To facilitate States/UTs, the Department of Empowerment of
Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) implements an Umbrella Scheme- Scheme for
Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (SIPDA) Act, 2016 with a sub-component
- “Scheme for Creation of Barrier Free Environment” (CBFE Scheme) through which financial
assistance is provided to State/UT Governments only on demand basis for creation of barrier free
environment in existing government buildings and establishments as per receipt of compliant
proposals.
In a view to facilitate Governments and other service providers in undertaking
accessibility audits, DEPwD has also empanelled some accessibility auditors in both built
environment and web/digital domains. As on date, DEPwD has empanelled sixty (60)
accessibility auditors for built environment and sixteen (16) accessibility auditors for web
accessibility. The services of these empanelled accessibility auditors can be directly availed by
any one on mutually agreed terms and conditions, for conducting accessibility audits of both
public and private infrastructures as per requirements.
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