The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday issued a mandamus to the government asking the latter to formulate appropriate policies to protect the rights of the disabled in the country. The order came in response to a public interest litigation filed by two advocates on behalf of Pro Public, an NGO. The SC directed the government officials to “work to protect the rights of the disabled by adopting policy and plans as envisioned in the Interim Constitution and the Disabled Protection Rights Act 2039.” The government will now have to form a committee composed of right activists supportive of the cause of the disabled, and also submit reports to the SC.

This is a step in the right direction. The Court’s intervention is expected to help ensure that the interests of the disabled are protected by the law. The state has not paid enough attention to the plight of this disadvantaged class. Even many educated ones among them holding Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees are facing difficulty, for instance, in getting a job, not to talk of those who cannot even afford school-level education. But no special provision has been made for them, except stray opportunities that come their way. As they are handicapped, they cannot be at par with others. That is why they need preferential treatment, including reservations in employment and education. The decision-makers should accord priority to this segment while formulating policies to promote the interests of the disadvantaged groups.