Hyderabad | 29 December 2025

The demand for the effective and comprehensive implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 echoed strongly in the Legislative Council today, as Dr. Sravan Dasoju, MLC, made a powerful appeal to the state government to move beyond symbolic compliance and ensure true inclusivity for persons with disabilities.

Raising the issue on the floor of the House, Dr. Dasoju urged the Hon’ble Chief Minister to address what he termed as “paper-thin compliance” of the Act, warning that incomplete implementation has left thousands of families struggling to access their rightful entitlements. While welcoming the government’s recent decision to mandate 5% reservation in higher education for persons with disabilities, he cautioned that without broader reforms, the law remains largely unfulfilled.

Human Cost of Inaction

Dr. Dasoju highlighted the harsh ground reality, stating that parents are forced to run “from pillar to post” to secure basic rights for their children. He pointed out that although the RPwD Act recognises 21 categories of disabilities—including autism, chronic neurological conditions and mental illness—there is a serious lack of awareness among educators and an acute shortage of early diagnostic and therapeutic facilities. This gap, he said, has led to exploitation of poor and middle-class families by costly private centres.

Roadmap for Inclusive Governance

Calling for a compassionate and systemic approach, Dr. Dasoju proposed a comprehensive roadmap, including:

Extension of 5% reservation and financial support to all public and private institutions from the primary level onwards.

Establishment of government-funded therapeutic and diagnostic centres.

Mandatory appointment of trained psychologists and special educators in every school for early identification and intervention.

100% fee concessions and strong scholarship schemes to prevent dropouts due to poverty.

Formation of dedicated Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) bodies at state and district levels to ensure strict compliance with the law.

“Our Children Are Our Future”

Emphasising that disability rights are not merely an administrative concern but a moral responsibility, Dr. Dasoju called upon the government to work closely with professional medical bodies and NGOs. “Every child deserves the chance to thrive. Equal opportunities are essential to building a just, compassionate and equitable Telangana,” he said.

Dr. Dasoju represents the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and has been consistently advocating for social justice and inclusive policy reforms.