On March 2, 2021, Union Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) virtually launched ‘Sugamya Bharat App’ and a handbook entitled ‘Access – The Photo Digest’ through video conference in New Delhi. Both of the new launches are developed by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), MoSJE
- The Mobile App can be downloaded from Play Store by Android users while its iOS version will be available by March 15, 2021.
About Sugamya Bharat APP:
i.It is a Crowd sourcing Mobile Application launched under the Accessible India Campaign-AIC (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan) which will cater to the issues related to accessibility being faced by Divyangjan (Differently abled) and others. It is initiated on the lines of achieving accessibility as mandated in Sections 40-46 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016. It should be noted that RPWD Act, 2016 replaced the PwD Act, 1995.
ii.There are following 5 key features of app:
- Registration of complaints of inaccessibility across the 3 pillars of AIC
- Positive feedback of examples and best practices shared by people as jan-bhagidhari
- Departmental updates
- Guidelines and circulars related to accessibility
- Special feature meant only for Divyangjan for COVID related issues.
iii.It is available in 10 regional languages, namely, Hindi, English, Marathi, Tamil, Odiya, Kannada, Telugu, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Malayalam.
iv.The app will serve the two purposes viz. raising awareness about the need for accessibility and bringing change in accessible features.
v.The App will be monitored through a Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) under DEPwD. The PMU will forward the complaints received through the App to Appropriate Authorities across India.
vi.This Mobile App is an endeavour and a step towards achieving accessibility as mandated in Sections 40-46 of the RPwD Act, 2016.
About Handbook:
It is a collection of photographs from across different States and UTs (Union Territories) representing 10 basic features of accessibility and related good-bad practices in easy to understand pictorial form.
About Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan):
Launched on December 3, 2015 by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, AIC is a nation-wide Campaign for achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). It has the following three important components:
- Built Environment Accessibility
- Transportation System Accessibility
- Information and Communication Eco-System Accessibility.
The scheme also comes under Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 under section 44, 45, 46 for equal Opportunities and protection of rights which provides non-discrimination in Transport to Persons with Disabilities.
Other Participants:
Shakuntala D. Gamlin, Secretary, DEPwD and Tarika Roy, Joint Secretary, DEPwD.
Recent Related News:
i.Last year, Thaawarchand Gehlot launched the 24×7 Toll-Free Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline ‘KIRAN’.
ii.In December 2020, Thaawarchand Gehlot launched a Mobile Application ‘Swachhata Abhiyan’ for identifying & Geo-tagging the data of Insanitary Latrines & Manual Scavengers across the country. Using the app NGOs, Social Organisations & General public can upload details of any insanitary latrine or manual scavengers that they notice.
About Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment:
Thaawarchand Gehlot Constituency– Madhya Pradesh
Minister of State (MoS)– Krishan Pal Gurjar, Ramdas Athawale, Rattan Lal Kataria
