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The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of West Bengal.


Note: The chapter is an early draft and will undergo subsequent modifications. We welcome comments and feedback from our readers.


Executive Summary

The state of West Bengal has issued the West Bengal Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Rules 1999 to implement the provisions under the central Persons with Disabilities (Protection of Rights, Equal Opportunities and Full Participation) Act 1995.

The Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare is primarily responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities in the state. The government of West Bengal has issued six notifications in education, ten notifications in employment and training, ten notifications in health and rehabilitation, ten notifications in social protection and two notifications in transport for persons with disabilities.

  • Capital: Kolkata
  • Population: 91,347,736
  • Population of persons with disabilities: 1,847,184
  • Literacy: 77.08%
  • HDI: 0.625 Ranked: 19th (2005 status)
  • Department: Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare
  • Other authorities: Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities

Click to download the West Bengal chapter (PDF, 344 Kb)

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