New Delhi, Jan 1 (IANS): The Delhi government has notified The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, giving access to lakhs of disabled in the city to the means of grievance redressal and concessions in many sectors.

The act came into force on December 27 through an official entry in the gazette of Delhi.

The Social Welfare Department of the state termed the notification a "New Year gift" and attributed the delay in its implementation to Delhi not being a full state.

"Section 101 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, confers power upon the state government to make such rules under the said act.

"However, the term, 'state government' has not been defined in the RPwD act 2016. The NCT of Delhi being considered a Union Territory, a specific delegation of the powers is required for exercise of such powers," the Department said in a statement.

The government said that it is now looking forward to establishing a dedicated department for persons with disabilities.