4 per cent Govt Housing Quota for Persons With Disabilities Approved

26 May 2025 CW Team

Union Minister Manohar Lal has announced a four per cent reservation in central government housing allocations for persons with disabilities, marking a key step toward inclusive public infrastructure. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs confirmed the decision on Thursday, stating it aligns with the objectives of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.

The Directorate of Estates has issued an official memorandum to implement this reservation, aiming to ensure fair and equitable access to government residential accommodation for differently-abled individuals.

“This initiative underscores the government's commitment to equal opportunities and reflects its broader goal of creating an inclusive and accessible India,” said the ministry in a release.

The move follows a landmark Supreme Court ruling that affirmed digital access as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. The judgement, delivered by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, addressed the challenges faced by acid attack survivors and persons with visual impairments in completing eKYC processes.

In response, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been directed to revise its guidelines to ensure alternative, inclusive methods for verifying “liveness” during digital KYC, moving beyond standard prompts like eye-blinking. The apex court also instructed the RBI to clarify that video-based customer onboarding (V-CIP) must not mandate eye-blinking, enabling a more accessible process.

Furthermore, banks and financial institutions have been asked to redesign KYC templates and customer forms to include information on the nature and extent of disabilities. This will help institutions offer reasonable accommodations and inclusive services.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..