- It is a statutory body under Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
- Its mandate is to discharge two basic duties – legal and welfare.
- It fundamental purpose, is to create enabling environment, i.e. provide opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) through comprehensive support systems which will lead towards development of an inclusive society.
- Objectives of National Trust
- Enable and empower PWD to live as independently and fully as possible within and close to their community as possible.
- Facilitate realisation of equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation of persons with disability.
- Extend support to its registered organisations to provide need based services.
- Evolve procedures for appointments of guardians and trustees for persons with disabilities.
- Why in news?
- The Union Cabinet has decided to fix three-year term of chairperson and the members of the board of the National Trust. At present, Section 4 (1) of NTA, 1999 provides that chairperson or member of board of National Trust will continue in office beyond prescribed term of 3 years until his successor is appointed by government. In case of resignation of chairperson, section 5(1) of act provides for him to continue in office until his successor is appointed by government.