Bhopal, August 24, 2026

Madhya Pradesh has moved a step closer to framing its first comprehensive policy for persons with disabilities, with the government bringing experts, voluntary organisations and stakeholders together to identify gaps in the existing system. The exercise follows an earlier recommendation by State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Dr Ajay Khemariya and subsequent directions from the state government to prepare an integrated policy framework.

The policy initiative is being taken forward by the Social Justice and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department under Minister Narayan Singh Kushwaha. At the latest state-level workshop in Bhopal, Kushwaha stressed that the proposed policy should reflect the actual requirements of persons with disabilities rather than remain limited to administrative provisions.

The workshop brought different voices to the same table. Officials, experts and organisations working with persons with disabilities discussed practical issues surrounding education, rehabilitation, accessibility, employment, skill development and implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.

Dr Khemariya has been closely associated with the policy exercise from its initial stage. Earlier this year, he had written to Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav seeking a unified state policy, pointing out that disability-related programmes are currently spread across different government departments.

The state government subsequently acted on the recommendation. Following a departmental meeting on April 13, the Social Justice and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department issued directions on April 23 asking the Commissioner's office to begin preparing the policy draft. The exercise is expected to bring provisions of the 2016 disability rights law, Central and state schemes, rehabilitation programmes and other welfare measures under a coordinated framework.

The proposal assumes importance for nearly 10 lakh persons with disabilities in Madhya Pradesh. The government has set a six-month timeframe for preparing the draft, with consultations forming an important part of the process.

The approach has also widened in recent months. At the Purple Fair held in Indore in July, Dr Khemariya said suggestions from experts, voluntary organisations and other

stakeholders would be included while drafting the policy. He also referred to the state's Rs 32-crore Divyang Fund, designed to support talented persons with disabilities in higher education, sports, art and culture, besides encouraging self-employment, entrepreneurship and startups.

The Bhopal workshop now adds ground-level experience to that process. Central Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities S Govindaraju, who joined virtually and Dr Khemariya here in Bhopal also addressed the concluding session, focusing on practical difficulties in implementing disability rights and the need to address them through the proposed framework.

The policy exercise comes as the department is also pushing measures around accessibility, education, skills, employment and greater participation of persons with disabilities. The larger effort is to move different schemes and departments towards a more coordinated system.

Suggestions emerging from the Bhopal workshop will now feed into the drafting process. With Minister Narayan Singh Kushwaha steering the department and Dr Ajay Khemariya's office working on the policy framework, the next important stage will be to translate these consultations into a draft that addresses the practical needs of persons with disabilities across Madhya Pradesh.