Context:
The post of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities has remained vacant for over five years now.
Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (PwD):
- Established under – Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
- Mandate –
- Acts as a regulatory body and grievance redressal agency for issues related to persons with disabilities.
- Ensures accessibility and protection of rights for individuals with disabilities.
- Appointment – Appointed by the Central Government.
- Tenure and terms of service are determined by the Centre government.
- Ministry – Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- Key Functions –
- Investigates complaints regarding deprivation of rights of persons with disabilities.
- Monitors the utilization of funds disbursed by the government for the benefit of persons with disabilities.
- Advises the government on policies and programs for persons with disabilities.
- Promotes awareness and sensitization about disability issues.
- Powers – CCPD has been vested with powers of a civil court in respect of the following matters:
- summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses
- requiring the discovery and production of any document
- requisitioning any public record from any court or office
- receiving evidence on affidavits and
- issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents.
- Every proceeding before the Chief Commissioner shall be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of the Indian Penal Code (1860).
- The Chief Commissioner shall be deemed to be a Civil Court for the purposes of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
- Annual Report – CCPD is required to submit an annual report to Central Government giving complete account of his activities during the previous year.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Consider the following organizations/bodies in India:
1. The National Commission for Backward Classes
2. The National Human Rights Commission
3. The National Law Commission
4. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
How many of the above constitutional bodies?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Among the organizations mentioned, only the National Commission for Backward Classes is a constitutional body.
