Legal Guardianship Cleared for Persons with Disabilities; District Committee Approves 12 Cases in Dehradun
Legal and Limited Guardians to Facilitate Banking, Family Pension, and Other Statutory Procedures
Dehradun:
In a significant step towards the social, economic, and legal empowerment of persons with disabilities (PwDs), the Dehradun district administration has approved legal and limited guardianship in 12 cases. The decision was taken during a joint meeting of the District Level Committee and the Local Level Committee chaired by Chief Development Officer (CDO) Abhinav Shah, on Monday, following the directions of the District Magistrate.
The meeting, held at the Vikas Bhawan Auditorium, reviewed applications received under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 and the National Trust Act, 1999. After detailed deliberations, the Local Level Committee approved the appointment of Legal Guardians in eight cases, while the District Level Committee constituted under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2019 granted Limited Guardianship in four cases.
The applications primarily involved persons affected by Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability, and Multiple Disabilities. Officials reviewed each online application before arriving at the final decisions.
The administration stated that legal guardianship will enable individuals who are unable to make legally binding decisions or independently manage financial and administrative matters to carry out essential activities through their appointed guardian. These include operating bank accounts, completing banking formalities, handling statutory documentation, and managing other legal procedures.
The meeting also highlighted that persons with disabilities whose parents served in government service and passed away, but who were facing legal hurdles in claiming family pension, will now be able to apply for pension benefits through a Legal Guardian or Limited Guardian. This measure is expected to strengthen their financial security and ensure easier access to government entitlements.
CDO Abhinav Shah directed officials to launch extensive awareness campaigns so that eligible beneficiaries and their families become aware of the provisions relating to Legal and Limited Guardianship. He instructed departments to ensure wider dissemination of information and facilitate eligible applicants in availing the benefits.
The meeting was attended by Chief Medical Officer Dr. M.K. Sharma, District Social Welfare Officer Deepankar Ghildiyal, the District Government Advocate, non-government members representing organizations working in the disability sector, and other members of the district and local committees.
The initiative is being seen as an important step toward protecting the legal rights of persons with disabilities and improving their access to financial services, pensions, and other statutory benefits.
