What Promises Did Tejashwi Yadav Make for the Disabled Community Ahead of Bihar Polls?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 15 commitments for the disabled community.
- Establishment of a dedicated commission and department.
- Monthly pension starting at Rs 1500.
- Reservations in Panchayat elections.
- Job opportunities for disabled sportspersons.
Patna, July 2 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition in Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav, made a significant announcement on Wednesday, unveiling 15 key commitments aimed at the disabled community during an event at Bapu Auditorium in Patna.
Yadav pledged that if elected, his government would establish a dedicated commission and department for individuals with disabilities.
He emphasized that the process for obtaining disability certificates would be streamlined to facilitate easier access to government support. Additionally, he assured that disabled individuals would receive a pension of Rs 1500 per month, with an annual increment of Rs 200, ultimately reaching Rs 2500 within five years.
Furthermore, schools would be set up in each district, along with reserved hospital beds for disabled persons.
Yadav also announced that there would be reservations for disabled individuals in Panchayat elections, a dedicated stadium for athletes with disabilities to aid in their training, job opportunities for disabled sportspersons, a 5 percent reservation in housing initiatives, and assistance for disabled individuals to attain their own homes. He promised free smartphones, speakers, and essential devices for the visually impaired.
In his address, Yadav criticized the current Bihar government for its lack of commitment to the rights of disabled individuals, framing these promises as a pledge towards social justice and inclusive growth under a prospective RJD-led administration.
According to the 2011 Census, India is home to 2.68 crore disabled individuals, constituting 2.21 percent of the population.
Bihar, ranking third after UP and Maharashtra, has 8.69 percent of its population classified as disabled.
In Bihar, the disabled population is 10.98 percent in rural areas and 3.48 percent in urban settings.