Bhopal: Championing the cause of people suffering from leprosy, the State Assembly on Thursday passed a bill allowing them to contest elections for the post of corporators and presidents of local bodies. Presenting the bill in the house, urban development minister Jaivardhan Singh introduced amendment to the provisions pertaining to leprosy in nomination forms of local body elections. The current nomination forms bar a person suffering from leprosy from contesting.
Introducing the bill, the minister said, “Leprosy is no more an incurable disease. A person suffering from it has the same dignity and respect as a normal person.” He further said that following a petition filed by Centre for Legal Policies Organisation, the Supreme Court had ruled that a person cannot be ignored or discarded on basis of leprosy. Blurring party lines, legislators hailed the minister for bringing the bill.
Welcoming the bill, Leader of Opposition Gopal Bhargava showered praise on Singh and described him as “capable minister”, former public relation minister Narttom Mishra called him “Chip of the Old Block” (Yogya pita ki yogya santan).
