Disabled-friendly govt buildings: HC directs Commissioner to

The Madras High Court today directed the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities to hold a meeting within 10 days and present a final picture before the court by March 11 on making government buildings disabled- friendly.
The First Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, gave the direction on two PILs seeking to direct authorities, particularly the Chairman and Managing Director of Metropolitan Transport Corporation and the Commissioner of Chennai Corporation to implement "the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1951".
The petitioners Rajiv Rajan and M Gnana Sambndam also sought a direction to provide barrier-free environment in public places giving access to the usage of transport system.

They also wantedthe authorities to frame and notify comprehensive rules for according recognition to various types of schemes for disabled.
Already, the court had appointed T Mohan, an advocate, as amicus curiae and directed him to file a report on the matter.
When the matter came up today, the union government placed on record a note containing the additional facilities included in a Handbook on Barrier-Free and Accessibility Act, 2014, in which it was mention on requirements for making public places disabled-friendly.

The bench, going through the note in its order, said "let a meeting be held by the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in consultation with the state Public Works Department and the amicus curiae within ten days so that we have a clear plan of action as to how will it be verified as to what extent the different buildings can be made disabled-friendly."

The bench further said that such meetings should continue with frequency and to ensure that the final picture is placed before it by March 11.
The court also directed the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities to remain present in the Court on March 11.