Gandaki Province Becomes First to Pass Disability Rights Bill

Pokhara.

For the first time among all seven provinces, Gandaki Province has passed a bill ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities.

The bill, which was tabled at the Social Development and Agriculture Committee on Chaitra 26, 2081, was endorsed unanimously on Tuesday after a detailed clause-by-clause discussion in the Provincial Assembly.

Presenting the bill, Minister for Social Development, Youth, and Sports, Bindukumar Thapa, said the legislation was introduced after extensive discussions in the committee. He highlighted that the bill aims to strengthen coordination, facilitation, monitoring, and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. The bill includes provisions such as intersectionality, recognition of ten categories of disabilities, eligibility for driver’s licenses, establishment of day service centers, development and research in sign language, residential education, and prioritization in times of risk.

Minister Thapa stressed that the law would ensure the proportional, inclusive, and participatory involvement of persons with disabilities in policymaking and development processes. He expressed confidence that it would promote empowerment, dignity, and self-reliance.

Lawmakers welcomed the bill as a historic, practical, and progressive step. MP Dilliraj Subedi emphasized the importance of implementation and highlighted access to education, health, and employment. MP Bhaktabahadur Kunwar remarked that disability is not only congenital but can occur at any stage of life, making the bill significant for everyone. MP Sushila Singh noted that despite being in the opposition, she welcomed the bill for strongly addressing education, health, employment, social security, and political participation for persons with disabilities.

Disabled community representative and MP Sunita Thapa said, “This bill is not only for the disability community but for everyone,” adding that Gandaki’s step could become an example internationally.

Similarly, Khomraj Sharma, President of the National Federation of the Disabled–Nepal, Gandaki Province, described the passage of the bill as a historic day. Although not all demands were fully addressed, he said the bill covered several important aspects and expressed full confidence that rules would be drafted immediately for effective implementation. He thanked the former and current ministers who played key roles in advancing the initiative.

With this decision, Gandaki has become the first province in Nepal to introduce a disability-related law, raising hopes that it will also set a benchmark in implementation.