The High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to implement the State Advisory Board to frame the welfare policy related to persons with disabilities by the end of September. Also, it was ordered to explain through an affidavit what measures have been taken to make the board operational.
A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Amit Borkar also directed the state government to make the board operational by the end of September and after it is operational, provide it with all the facilities including office, staff, electrical equipment. The court had held the government on edge during the previous hearing and had ordered the Advocate General to look into the matter as the board was not implemented despite the order. At the same time, the board was asked to clarify when it will be implemented. The court finally gave the above order during the hearing held on Tuesday in this case.
Meanwhile, lawyer Jamshed Mistry, who has been appointed as amicus curiae in this case, told the bench that some footpaths in Mumbai have not been made friendly for specially abled people yet. The court told Mistry to give this information to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) immediately, they will look into it. Mistry also demanded that the BMC provide some contact numbers for complaints regarding this issue. Your worries will be resolved once the board is operational. Remind us about this during the next hearing, the court adjourned the hearing on September 26.
The court had taken up a PIL on its own regarding the issue of spacing between steel poles (bollards) on footpaths, which were inconvenient for wheelchair-bound persons. During the hearing on the same, it was revealed that despite the order for the functioning of the Advisory Board, it has not been implemented. Hence, the court reprimanded the government.
Share
Tweet
