Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 15: As the Social Welfare Department has made facilities for disabled persons in the State, the High Court directed those facilities be provided to disabled persons by all the Secretaries and District Legal Services Authorities.
After the Court on previous hearing had directed to inform it about the grants and measures provided for the disabled as well as the schemes which are operational for the benefit of the disabled persons in the State, the Social Welfare Department today, in its status report, made reference about the facilities being extended to the disabled persons in the State of Jammu & Kashmir.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Sanjeev directed the status report of SWD shall be circulated to all the Secretaries, District Legal Services Authorities so as to ensure that the benefits of the Schemes as informed by the SWD are provided to the every disabled person in the State.
“Apart from the Government Scheme and measures, it is essential to ensure that an enabling environment is created in the State of Jammu and Kashmir for all the disabled persons”, the DB directed.
In its report, the SWD has also mentioned that the Government of India has approved and released Rs. 42.74 lacs for creation of barrier free environment in seven buildings located in the State of J&K as also
DPRs of 16 more buildings are stated to have been submitted to the Government of India recently.
In this connection the DB sought details of the creation of facilities which are to be designated for persons with disabilities as the Court said, there is an essential need that Academic Institutions provide an
enabling environment for the disabled persons.
“It is therefore, directed that University of Kashmir and Central University Kashmir shall be arrayed as party respondents in the instant petition through their respective Registrars”, court said.
Court directed Registry to issue notice to both the universities without any process fee indicating in the notice submitting of status report on the issues, on or before the next date of hearing.
Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Government of India is required to file the status report regarding guidelines and policy framework which has been framed for implementation by the stakeholders to ensure equality and dignity to the disabled.
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