A Division Bench of Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and R. Sakthivel was hearing a petition filed by Swamimalai Sundara Vimalanathan of Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district.
The petitioner said that during the population Census conducted in 2001 and 2011, disability related information was specifically collected from households. However, in the ongoing process relating to Census 2027, disability related particulars have not been included, thereby depriving persons with disabilities of proper statistical recognition.
The omission of disability related questions was arbitrary and contrary to the constitutional principles of equality and social justice. Unless comprehensive disability data was collected, the government would not possess reliable statistics for framing welfare policies and implementing various schemes intended for persons with disabilities, he said.
The persons with disabilities constitute one of the most vulnerable sections of society and are entitled to equal protection under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The absence of disability-related questions would adversely affect policy planning for education, employment, healthcare, rehabilitation, accessibility, social security, reservation, financial assistance and other welfare measures, he said.
Unless disability related particulars are included, persons with disabilities throughout the country will remain statistically invisible, resulting in inadequate governmental planning and denial of several statutory benefits, the petitioner said. The court adjourned the hearing to October 5.