SHILLONG, March 10: The Assembly on Thursday voted against introduction of the Meghalaya Compulsory Protection of Welfare of Children With Special Needs Bill, 2021, which was aimed at protection of the educational and healthcare rights of children with special needs.
Opposition Chief Whip, George B Lyngdoh had sought to introduce the bill which was provisioned in order to fulfil the obligation of the state towards welfare of children with special needs in accordance with the provisions laid down under Article 14, 15, 16 and 21 of the Constitution.
Requesting permission from the House to introduce the bill, Lyngdoh said there are many children born in economically challenged families that have congenital physical and mental disabilities and such children have been made more hapless due to the severe financial constraints face by their parents.
“The condition of those nurtured by single parents is even more severe. This bill is meant for the government to bear the expenditure for their education in registered or recognized institution for special needs of their choice till they attain the age of 18 years,” the Umroi legislator said.
He also pointed out that there is a violation of rights to free and compulsory education, discrimination and children with special needs have been denied the chance of livelihood and the chance to live their life which is a violation of Article 14, 15, 16 and 21 of the Constitution.
After the introduction of the bill, Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh put the question before the House which rejected it through voice vote.