Budget 2015 won’t have much of an impact on the common person with disability, say experts.
Apart from making some heritage sites accessible, an hike in tax exemption to the tune of Rs. 25,000 for the differently abled and their families and assistive devices for senior citizens below the poverty line, there are no commitments for persons with disabilities (PWDs), said Equals, Centre for Promotion of Social Justice.
“There is no mention of the safety and social security of PWDs. The fund for the allocation of assisted devices is for the elderly alone. The hike in service tax is a blow to those with health disabilities,” said Smitha Sadasivan of the Disability Rights Alliance.
Equals also said persons with disabilities will be affected if the government fails to follow universal design and accessibility in infrastructure projects.
