The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the state government to report on the status of implementation of various important provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, on a PIL complaining of Karnataka’s “persistent and unjustifiable delay” in implementing the law’s mandate for the welfare of persons with disabilities (PwD).
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Poonach issued the direction on a petition filed by Y. Karthik, 27, who is visually impaired and cerebral palsy, and his brother, Y. Kaushik, 27, along with their father, YM Satish, who is an MLC.
Despite the passage of nearly a decade since the new Act, the state government has failed to operationalize several basic provisions and key statutory obligations such as ensuring reservation in employment, identifying jobs, implementing social security schemes, setting up a dedicated PWD fund and providing institutional support at the district and taluk levels have remained unfulfilled, it was complained.
Citing the Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s performance audit report on the implementation of the Act and other documents, the petition said that delays in implementing the provisions of the Act deprived PWDs of access to social security schemes, employment and social protection guaranteed by the legislation.
Seeking directions for effective implementation of various provisions of the Act, the petitioners sought specific directions for establishment of State Fund for PwDs, issue of unique disability card to all eligible persons and abolition of UDID issued to ineligible persons, to ensure that PWD training teachers are registered under the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992, to establish a special training center for PwDs to support all PwD training infrastructure. schools, including an increase in the pension for the disabled.
Meanwhile, the petition made it clear that Mr. Satish, who has set up various facilities for PWDs, apart from donating to private and NGO’s working for PWDs, is not seeking any benefits from government schemes for his son as he is financially able to take care of his needs.
Further hearing of the petition was adjourned to February 4, 2026.
Published – 14 Nov 2025 20:36 IST
