Around 3.238 million Unique Disability Identity (UDID) cards have been issued by the Indian government across 682 districts, as per data shared by DEPwD, reports Times of India
The 31-member committee chaired by Rama Devi noted that the performance of some states was quite poor. The committee also pointed out that many states, like Bihar, Assam, Telangana, Tripura and Andhra Pradesh, did not receive any funds till 2018-19.
The UDID project was initiated by the government to create a national database of persons with disabilities and also for the purpose of issuance of UDID cards which would be valid throughout the country. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) told the standing committee that all states/UTs have started implementing the project.
The DEPwD has asked states to upload the re-validated certificate to generate a UDID card and medical examination would be required only for newer disabilities listed in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. “Even for that, the procedure has been streamlined and norms for constitution of medical teams have been relaxed,” the panel said.
The department said it had given webcam, computer and online password to every CMO so that there was no delay in uploading legacy certificates. For newer disabilities, a team of doctors is required to enable certification. In such cases, the central government has said if a state does not have enough doctors, they could empanel private doctors or take doctors from other states.
