Sameer Kashmiri
ANANTNAG: A social welfare department in Anantnag located inside district commissioner office Anantnag is creating tremendous hardships for differently abled.
The differently abled persons struggle to enter the social welfare department in Anantnag here. The office has no ramps and handrails for the differently abled people as the department has all important works on upstairs.
Talking to KNB Nisar Ahmad Bhat chairman of south Kashmir Handicapped Association said that the government left them on God’s mercy as the government fails to make ramps instead of stairs as a result they face lot of hardships during visit to any Government office in Anantnag particularly in social welfare department.
The social welfare department whose job is to take steps to ensure a hassle free movement of the differently abled persons lacks the basic necessary infrastructure, as in Anantnag the office is on third storey boutique and is work on 3rd floor up stair, Nissar said.
The social welfare department Anantnag is flouting the Disabilities Act and has also failed to implement the rules in other departments.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1998, “the government and the local authorities shall, within the limits of their economic capacity and development provide for – a) ramps in public building; b) adaptation of toilets for wheel-chair users; c) Braille symbols and auditory signals in elevators or lifts; d) ramps in hospitals, primary health centers and other medical care and rehabilitation institutions.” Nissar Added.
Meanwhile when contacted to the District commissioner Anantnag Mohd younis malik he assured to shift the office on ground floor. (KNB)
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