PANAJI: Minister for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Subhash Phal Desai said that persons with disabilities are not just beneficiaries but equal partners in society as professionals, entrepreneurs, and contributors who play a vital role in nation-building.
Speaking at the All India State Commissioners’ Meet 2025, held on the opening day of International Purple Fest in Panaji today, the minister said, “Our policies must translate into action, ensuring dignity, independence, and recognition for every Divyangjan,” stressing the importance of accessibility, participation, and opportunity.
The inaugural session was attended by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar, IAS Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities S Govindaraj, State Commissioners from across India, and delegates, including government officials, NGOs, and media representatives.
The meet, convened by the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD), focused on strengthening coordination, addressing statutory responsibilities, and reinforcing the mandate of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. The theme this year was “Strengthening Inclusive Frameworks through Collaborative Governance and Rights-based Mechanisms.”
Union Minister Kumar emphasized moving beyond legislation: “Our aim is not just to make laws, but to ensure that persons with disabilities receive justice and equal opportunities. They should have respect, security, and independence, so their participation in society is empowered and meaningful.”
Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Govindaraj described the meet as a platform to turn dialogue into action: “By bringing together government officials, state commissioners, NGOs, and media representatives, the responsibility is on all of us to create meaningful opportunities, strengthen systems, and ensure tangible benefits for Divyangjans across the country.”
Sessions highlighted improving the Sugamya App and Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan outcomes, strengthening legal enforcement, inter-departmental coordination, faster grievance resolution, inclusive education, and data-driven policy frameworks to enhance accessibility and service delivery.
The final session recommended standardizing data collection, integrating disability indicators into the Census, and using uniform metrics to track accessibility, education, livelihood, and infrastructure outcomes. Panelists included officials from CCPD’s Digital Governance, Legal Affairs, and Data Divisions, legal experts, education specialists, and State Commissioners from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Rajasthan, Assam, Goa, West Bengal, and Telangana.
The meet concluded with a national roadmap for inclusive governance, emphasizing digital accessibility, legal enforcement, child rights protection, and evidence-based policymaking to turn disability inclusion from policy into practice.
