Dinanagar's new ‘disabled-unfriendly’ SDM office sparks row

Ravi Dhaliwal

Dinanagar (Gurdaspur), Jan 28

On December 2, when AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann inaugurated the new SDM complex here little did they know that they were actually doing a disservice to differently-abled people because the structure neither has mandatory ramps nor lifts.

Will look into issue

I will look into the issue and ask the SDM to take utmost care of the physically challenged people — Himanshu Aggarwal, Deputy commissioner

The building has been constructed in violation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, human rights activists said.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Himanshu Aggarwal has now been urged by the activists to order a probe as to how the three-storied building was allowed to be inaugurated.

Human rights activist Sunil Dutt has now written to the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities, department of social security and Gurdaspur DC in this regard.

PWD officers, however, distanced themselves from the issue. “Lack of funds came in the way when ramps were to be constructed and lifts were to be installed,” a PWD official said.

When contacted, DC Aggarwal said: “I will look into the issue and ask the SDM to take utmost care of the physically-challenged people.”

An architect, however, said it was impossible to make any structural change as the building has already been completed.

A 72-year-old woman, who could be seen taking the staircase to reach the third floor where patwaris work, said: “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust sail to reach my destination.”

Meanwhile, over 80 per cent people visiting the complex daily come to meet patwaris, who have been working from the third floor. In all other districts, activists said, patwaris have their offices in the ground floor.