The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016

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The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 is a critical topic for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, particularly under GS Paper II (Social Justice and Governance) . It replaced the PwD Act of 1995 to comply with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Key Highlights of the RPwD Act, 2016 1. Expanded Definition of Disability The Act increased the number of recognized disabilities from 7 to 21.   Added Disabilities : Cerebral Palsy, Dwarfism, Muscular Dystrophy, Acid Attack victims, Speech and Language disability, Specific Learning Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Chronic Neurological conditions (Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s), Blood Disorders (Haemophilia, Thalassemia, Sickle Cell disease), and Multiple Disabilities.   The Central Government maintains the power to add more types of disabilities to this list. 2. Rights and Entitlements  ✅  Education : Children with "benchmark disabilities...

The Punchhi Commission

 The Punchhi Commission was established in April 2007 under the chairmanship of Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi, a former Chief Justice of India. It was set up to re-examine Centre-State relations, considering the evolving political and economic landscape since the Sarkaria Commission (1988).

Key Recommendations of the Punchhi Commission

  1. Restraint in Using Article 356

    • Suggested that President’s Rule should be imposed only as a last resort.

    • Recommended issuing warnings before invoking Article 356.

  2. Governor’s Role

    • Governors should remain politically neutral for at least two years before appointment.

    • Proposed a committee-based appointment process, including the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, and the concerned Chief Minister.

  3. Inter-State Council

    • Recommended to make the Inter-State Council a permanent body to foster Centre-State cooperation.

  4. Union’s Treaty-Making Power

    • Suggested regulating treaties affecting State List subjects, ensuring state consultation.

  5. Concurrent List Legislation

    • States should be consulted before introducing bills on concurrent list matters.

The Commission emphasized cooperative federalism, ensuring greater autonomy for states while maintaining national unity.

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