In a first, state set for detailed survey on PwDs

Panaji: For the first time, state govt on Tuesday decided to undertake a comprehensive survey of persons with disabilities (PwDs), reports Murari Shetye. The aim is to collect precise, geo-tagged information that will facilitate the development of inclusive policies and enhance service provision. Through this survey, which will be conducted along the lines of a similar one in Maharashtra, govt wants to understand the problems faced by PwDs and frame policies to provide them with employment and prepare plans for their future.
In line with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, govt intends to conduct an across-the-board and time-bound survey covering all 21 disabilities.
The director of the department for empowerment of persons with disabilities (DEPwD), Varsha Naik, told TOI that this is the first time that the department is conducting such a survey for PwDs. Naik said that earlier, the survey was conducted in 2011 by the directorate of planning statistics, but it was not limited to PwDs.
“We have data from the 2011 census. After that, more disabilities were added, and now we cover 21 disabilities,” Naik said. “With this survey, we will come to know about their educational qualifications and where they are staying, among other things. Right now, we don’t have any comprehensive data on PwDs.”
Naik said, “Once we have the data, we will have details of PwDs and their requirements. Today, PwDs may not know about govt initiatives.” She added, “But once the data is ready, the department can reach out to PwDs with govt schemes.”
The department invites bidders from reputed and experienced firms/organisations for the development and deployment of a robust software system. “This system must enable real-time data collection, monitoring, and analysis, with features ensuring accessibility, multilingual support, and integration with govt databases,” the criteria say, “The initiative aims to gather accurate, geo-tagged data to inform inclusive policymaking and service delivery.”
The selected agency will also be responsible for training, deployment, and complete operational oversight of the survey. The benefit survey will help govt with accurate data collection to plan targeted welfare programmes, geographic mapping, monitoring, and help in fixing accountability and empowerment, among others, a senior govt officer said.
Naik said a similar survey was conducted in Maharashtra, and on the same lines, a survey would be conducted in Goa. The newly created DEPwD, which became operational last year, is responsible for implementing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and ensuring the empowerment of individuals with disabilities.