GELS 2024 Manifestos

Persons with Disabilities
The CPI(M) stands for: 

• Recognition of the issues of persons with disabilities as cross-sectoral; redesigning various programmes and schemes with the objective of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPD Act).  

• Introduction of disability budgeting in line with gender budgeting; 5 per cent allocations across ministries be earmarked for the disabled; enhanced allocations to be made for fulfilling the various mandates of the RPD Act and also for implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.  

• Comply with RPD Act mandated provisions on accessibility.  

• Removal of GST on aids and appliances.  

• Simplification of the certification procedure, speedy certification and ensuring the universal validity of UDID cards.  

• Extending reservations in education and employment to the private sector; enforcing the mandate of inclusive education.  

• Uniform disability pension of a minimum of Rs 6000/- linked with the minimum wages/cost of living in the state; an equivalent amount be given to caregivers by introducing a caregiver allowance; AAY cards be provided to all disabled; free and universal health coverage for all disabled.  

• Supporting women with disabilities for livelihood and housing as well as for exercising sexual and reproductive rights.  

• Amending Article 15 and 16 of the Constitution to include 'disability' as a ground on which discrimination is prohibited; harmonising all laws in consonance with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
  
  Health :

•  Ensure right-based access to comprehensive treatment and care of persons with 

• mental illness through integration of the revised District Mental Health Programme 

• with the National Health Mission.

(DMK Manifesto also available in Tamil )

• Concessions previously provided in the railway sector to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, transgender people and students will be reinstated.

• Customized curricula with modern technologies will be provided for children with disabilities.

• A first in Asia, National Centres for Persons with Disabilities near Chennai.

•  Special medical centres for genetic diseases and birth defects will be established.

• Public health programs will be allocated 3% of the nation's GDP.

• Comprehensive mental health programs will be implemented in schools to reduce the suicide rates among adolescents and improve students' life skills.

• Necessary physical and mental health facilities and sufficient mental health counsellors will be made available at the district and block levels for children prone to substance abuse habits.

(AIADMK Manifesto only available in Tamil. )

• Cash transfer increased to 5000 for persons with disabilities

(Congress  manifesto available in  English PDF, Word formats as well as Hindi. )

• The central government’s contribution to pensions for senior citizens, widows and persons with disabilities under the National Social Assistance Programme remains a pitiful 200 - 500 per month. Congress will raise this amount to 1,000 per month.

• We will expand Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution to prohibit discrimination on the ground of ‘disability’, ‘impairment’ or ‘sexual orientation’.

• We will recognise the Braille script and Sign Language as languages.

• We will establish a National Centre of Research and Excellence for Special Education to ensure that quality education is imparted to children with special needs and children with disabilities.

• As was done in Chhattisgarh, Congress will provide representation for persons with disabilities in local government bodies.

• We will strictly enforce the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

• We will implement a scheme to establish Assisted Living and Care Centres for the disabled in public-private partnership throughout the country.

• We will allocate sufficient funds to promote sports among girls and women, persons with disabilities, and disadvantaged groups such as ST.

• One Rank One Pension (OROP) will be implemented in accordance with the order of the UPA government dated 26 February 2014. Anomalies that have arisen in the implementation of OROP by the BJP/NDA government will be rectified. We will restore the disability pension and make it tax-free,

(Communist Party manifesto available in  English. )

* Ensuring pension to all senior citizens except income tax payers. 

* Building public old age homes in all districts with community kitchens at subsidised prices.

* Dedicated government health facilities will be made available to all senior citizens at primary and district health centres.

* Restoring concessions granted to senior citizens in railways.

* Effective policies and provisions for inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) to live a dignified life.

* Access to public and private buildings, transport and communication will be made compulsory by bringing suitable amendments to existing laws. Non-compliance with the provisions of unhindered accessibility will be penalised.

* Persons with disabilities should be granted a national-level pension cover to lead a dignified life.

* Promoting and enhancing the coverage of accessible sports and other recreational facilities for persons with disabilities.

* Local hospitals should provide enabling equipments like wheel chairs & hearing aids to persons with disabilities.

* Inclusion of Sign Language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution to accord it legal status and promotion of literature and curriculum in braille and sign language.

(BJP manifesto available in  English. and Hindi )

• We will continue developing affordable, indigenous aids and assistive devices to make Bharat 

atmanirbhar in such equipment.

Providing Affordable Housing Priority to Divyangs under the PM Awas Yojana 

• We will continue to prioritize the housing needs of divyangs under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 

guaranteeing affordable and accessible housing solutions that cater to their unique requirements.

Improving Mental Healthcare Services 

• In our increasingly complex society, mental well-being has emerged as a top priority. We will strengthen  our traditional means including Yoga and Meditation, and also enhance the scope and coverage of mental  health initiatives like Manas and Manodarpan.