Inspectors appointed to enforce rights of persons with disabilities in Punjab

LAHORE: In a groundbreaking move aimed at strengthening the rights of persons with disabilities, the Punjab government has appointed inspectors under the Punjab Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2022.

Following instructions from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Chief Secretary Zahid Akhter Zaman, this is the first time in the province’s history that officials will not only monitor compliance but also have the authority to impose fines ranging from Rs100,000-500,000 for missing facilities, subject to approval by a newly established provincial committee.

The Act passed on December 19, 2022, seeks to protect the rights of special people and ensure their full inclusion in society, aligning with the principles set out in the Constitution and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

As per Section 19 of the Act, the Council on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was constituted to oversee the enforcement of these rights. The CRPD, a 28-member body headed by Minister for Social Welfare and Baitul Maal Sohail Shaukat Butt, is tasked with ensuring compliance across various sectors.

While the council was established in 2023, the appointment of inspectors to oversee the implementation of the Act had not yet been carried out. In the third meeting of the council, held on October 31, 2024, the minister had emphasised the importance of appointing inspectors to enhance the council’s effectiveness and to create a revenue stream that could be reinvested in the welfare of such persons. Consequently, the meeting had directed that all assistant directors at the tehsil level, along with some supervisors (BS-11), be appointed as inspectors. The official appointment of these inspectors was finalised on November 11, 2024. A committee, led by the director general of Social Welfare and Baitul Maal, has also been established to review the fines imposed by the inspectors and finalise penalties for non-compliant establishments.

The newly appointed inspectors will be responsible for ensuring compliance with key provisions of the Act, including enforcing a three percent employment quota for such persons in all public and private sector establishments, as mandated under Section 31 of the Act. They will also oversee the contributions of non-compliant businesses to the Persons with Disabilities Rehabilitation Fund, as outlined in Section 32.

Inspectors are empowered to verify recruitment practices, ensure that reserved positions are allocated fairly across different categories of disabilities, and monitor the monthly contributions to the rehabilitation fund by businesses failing to meet the employment quota.

Additionally, the inspectors will play a vital role in ensuring that public and private sector buildings, pathways, and public spaces are accessible to such persons, as mandated under Section 6 of the Act. They will also monitor the accessibility of transport facilities, ensuring designated seats and parking spaces for such person in all public transport and public areas, free of charge.

The inspectors will be tasked with conducting routine and surprise inspections to verify compliance and will have the authority to issue fines for violations, ranging from Rs 100,000-500,000, depending on the severity of the non-compliance.

The introduction of these inspectors marks a significant step in the implementation of the Punjab Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2022, signalling a stronger commitment by the provincial government to ensure that the rights of such persons are protected and upheld. By empowering local officials to take direct action, the Punjab government aims to foster a more inclusive society, providing such persons with the opportunities and accessibility they need to participate fully in social and economic life.

Social Welfare and Baitul Maal Secretary Javed Akhter Mehmood told the scribe that the rights of persons with disabilities are crucial, saying they have historically been ignored. He said that with the implementation of this Act and the council, public facilities, accessibility, and security for such persons will be ensured, representing a paradigm shift that will change society.