The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : HC pulls up State over facilities for people with disabilities

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Monday, Feb 08, 2010
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

HC pulls up State over facilities for people with disabilities

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Saturday criticised the State Government when it expressed its inability to provide ramps and other facilities in government buildings for people with disabilities.

A Division Bench comprising Justice V. Gopala Gowda and Justice A.S. Bopanna expressed dismay and anguish at the manner in which the Government had filed an affidavit on the issue.

The Bench was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by Simharaju of J.P. Nagar in Bangalore seeking better facilities in government buildings for people with disabilities.

Refusing to take the affidavit on record, the Bench castigated the State Government for its indifferent attitude towards people with disabilities.

Affidavit

In the affidavit, the Government said there were 10,000 buildings, and it could not build ramps and other facilities in all of them.

The Government said that facilities for people with disabilities could be provided only in new buildings. However, facilities were being provided wherever it was possible.

The Bench sought to know what people with disabilities could do if the Government had such an indifferent attitude and handed back the affidavit to it.

The Bench adjourned further hearing of the case.

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