News

Volume 3 Issue 15 - August 01, 2005

Bombay High Court drubs Goa Government over non-implementation of Disability Act

D.N.I.S. News Network - Taking a grim note of the non-implementation of the decade-old Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities Protection of Rights and Full Participation Act 1995), the Panjim Bench of Bombay High Court has come down heavily on the Goa Government.

Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (P.I.L.), filed by Charmaine Lobo and Sanfor Francis, both law students, the Court shot a notice to the State Government through the Chief Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

According to the Petitioners, the Act that envisages making public areas accessible for people with disabilities has allegedly not been implemented in the State, and provisions of the Act have not been taken into account while developing new public projects.

The Court’s attention was also drawn to the contention that the apathy of the State and authorities towards implementation of the Act had deprived a section of the people from enjoying the basic amenities of life. To substantiate their accusation against the State Government, the Petitioners also conducted a survey of some buildings where public offices are located and found them to be inaccessible for disabled people. The Disability Rights Association of Goa had also sought the Court’s intervention in the petition.

Courtesy: Goa Can Newsletter