From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bangalore, Jan 12: In a gesture aimed at winning the trust and confidence of physically challenged or disabled persons, the B S Yeddyurappa-led BJP regime has directed all civic agencies in Karnataka, including Bangalore, to construct ramps and barrier-free features in all buildings and utilise 3 % of funds earmarked for the benefit of disabled people.
Karnataka’s Women and Child Welfare minister P M Narendra Swamy, who reviewed the progress of utilisation of 3 % reservation funds allotted for the welfare of the people with disability and implementation of schemes.
He said the progress so far made by various agencies such as Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, Bangalore Development Authority, Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation, Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) was ``not satisfactory.’’
The minister instructed all civic agencies and local bodies in the state must compulsorily built ramps in government buildings and utilise 3 % of funds earmarked for their welfare.
Several buildings do not have ramps and lack disabled people friendly toilets, he said told the BBMP officials to launch a massive campaign to create awareness about the government welfare schemes for the disable persons, he said.
He also directed BBMP to construct ramps in bus-stands, barrier free features at staircases and steps, lifts and escalators, doors, toilets, corridors, public amenities such as telephones, drinking water facility.
Nearly a lakh people with disability have been residing in Bangalore, he said.
The Minister instructed state government agencies like KHB, BDA and Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation and Karnataka Slum Clearance Board to sanction 3 % of houses or sites in their layouts for persons with disability.
A system has to be maintained for issuing physically challenged certificates by the BBMP to avoid duplication, he warned.
Stating that all bodies should review implementation of schemes in every three months, Narendraswamy said the agencies should establish proper coordination with the department for effective implementation of schemes.
The officials concerned would be held responsible for lapses in the implementation of The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, he said.
The Act provides for the incorporation of barrier-free features in built infrastructure, both inside buildings and outside. It stipulates that no part of the built environment should be designed in a manner that excludes certain groups of people on the basis of their disability or frailty.
JD(S) MLC Abdul Azim said the police should be informed to reserve separate space in the vehicle parking area for tricycles and other vehicles of disabled persons.
Karnataka’s Medication Education Minister Ramachandra Gowda, N L Narendra Babu, MLA, Bharati Shetty, MLC, and officials of various bodies were present to provide various suggestions.