New Delhi, 15 December (H.S.):

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre seeking its response on a public interest litigation demanding a national expert committee to draft comprehensive guidelines for the care, rehabilitation, and protection of persons with autism spectrum disorder and other intellectual disabilities.

A bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan directed the Union of India, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, and other relevant authorities to file replies, highlighting the urgent need for structured national policies amid rising awareness of neurodevelopmental challenges.

The plea, filed by NGO Hrdaya Saras Foundation along with other petitioners, underscores gaps in current frameworks like the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, calling for specialized protocols on early diagnosis, inclusive education, vocational training, and safeguards against exploitation.

This judicial intervention aligns with broader government initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance accessibility, as he has previously tweeted support for inclusive schemes like ADIP and Niramaya, emphasizing empowerment for differently-abled citizens as a national priority.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar