On 13th September 2023, Mrs. Maya Ranavare, President of APAL, recently met with Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal (IAS), the Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. During the meeting, she emphasized the need to abolish laws that allow discrimination based on leprosy disease. The secretary assured her that he would take necessary steps with concerned authorities to initiate steps towards abolishing or repealing discriminatory laws.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Leprosy Mission India, VIDHI Centre of Legal Policy, National Centre for Employment for Disabled People Sasakawa Health Foundation, and WHO. The secretary supported organizing an event around World Leprosy Day, 30 January, Martyrdom Day of Mahatma Gandhi Ji to bring all stakeholders together to sensitize the issue of stigma against leprosy and steps to be taken to eliminate discrimination.
Mrs. Maya Ranavare handed over a copy of the annual report to the Secretary, of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
