Rural Sanitation Program

Government of India
Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment
Department of Rural Development
Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission
Paryavaran Bhavan, B1 Block, 9th Floor, C.G.O Complex
Lodhi Road, New Delhi
Tel No. 4361043 Fax No.4364113

Dated 5.5.1997

Palat Mohandas
Joint Secretary and Mission Director
D.O No. W-11036/4/97 TM-I

Dear
You might be aware that the persons with disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and full participation ) Act was passed by Parliament on 232nd Dec. 1995. This Act has come into force with effect from 7th Feb.1996. This act is an important landmark in the empowerment of persons with disabilities through creation of equal opportunities and protection of their rights.

It has been decided with the approval of the Minister For Rural Area and Employment that the provision of the Act should be implemented faithfully and with promptitude. In this context, it has been decided that in the rural sanitation programme, there should be 3% reservation for persons with disability in works relating to sanitary latrines for individuals below the poverty line. In the case of works relating to groups, it should be ensured that there is barrier free environment for the disabled.

Para 6.2 of the general guidelines for implementation of CRCP provides that upto 72% of the annual funds can be utilized to construct individual sanitary latrines to household below the poverty line. This percentage may be amended to the extent that out of 72% of the annual funds, 3% of the funds should be earmarked for construction of individual sanitary latrines for the disabled persons.

I shall be thankful if you kindly issue instruction to the implementing agencies in your state / UT to give effect to the above decision from the financial year, 1997-98. The progress, both in physical and financial aspects-number of disabled persons benefited, number of sanitary latrines constructed and the expenditure incurred for the disabled persons should be monitored separately and reported to this Department as part of the monthly progress for implementation of Central Rural Sanitation Programme.

Yours Sincerely
Sd\-
(Palat Mohandas)

Secretaries in charge of Rural Water Supply
And sanitation in all the states / UTs
Copy for information to :
PS to M(RA&E), PPS to Secretary (IRD), US (IRD-IV)
GC Section, Ministry of Welfare.