Social justice dept’s own office not divyang-friendly

CHANDIGARH: The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, which has to ensure that buildings of all government offices are disabled friendly, has its own state-level office situated on the third and fourth floors of a building in Sector 17 here without any ramp or lift facility.

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 26

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, which has to ensure that buildings of all government offices are disabled friendly, has its own state-level office situated on the third and fourth floors of a building in Sector 17 here without any ramp or lift facility.

The office of the Director, Social Justice and Empowerment, is situated on the third and fourth floors making it difficult for normal people to reach, let alone differently abled. Since the department deals with all kinds of social security pensions, people with disabilities too have to visit the Director’s office for their works.

“We have brought this to the notice of the authorities several times, as we have to face a lot of problems climbing stairs to reach the fourth floor for meeting with officers. Every time, we get the same reply that it will be done soon,” said Jage Ram, general secretary of the National Federation of Blinds in Haryana.

After implementation of the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act, 1995, the government is mandated to provide barrier-free access to government offices to differently abled persons by providing ramps etc. There are provisions of fine for the offices failing to comply with it. To implement the provisions of the Act, the state government appoint has appointed the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.

Dinesh Shashtri, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in Haryana, said he had taken up the matter with the government in writing as well on personal level. “The issue will be resolved very soon. The government is looking for a new office in Panchkula and the Director’s office will be shifted there soon,” he said.