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Pressure on state bars to heed disabled-friendly norms

As per conditions, all bars should provide facilities for physically-challenged people

Kochi: In an attempt to make the bars in the state disabled-friendly, the team inspecting the 418 substandard bars is checking whether they provide facilities to physically challenged persons.

The team comprising officials of the excise and taxes departments is conducting the inspection pursuant to a High Court order and following the stipulations prescribed by Hotel & Restaurant Approval & Classification Committee (HRACC). Interestingly, the majority of the bars in the state are not disabled-friendly. Hence, many bar hotel owners will have to make changes in the building and provide adequate facilities.

As per the conditions, all the bars irrespective of star category should provide facilities for physically-challenged people, including availability of wheel chair, lift facility, wheel chair- accessible bathrooms with sliding door, fixtures like low wash basin, low-height toilet and grab bars. If a bar functions in a multi-storied building, there should be lift facilities.

According to Ernakulam deputy commissioner of excise P.Jayarajan, the stipulations are laid down so as to promote tourism. “The government is not promoting liquor consumption by providing facilities to physically challenged persons,” he said and added that the committee was strictly complying with the court order. It is a Herculean task as within a week, the team has to inspect 418 bars and submit the report in a tabular format.

The state had refused to give bar licence to 418 bar hotels as they lacked the required standard. The High Court after considering the petitions filed by the bar owners asked the state to conduct a study and formed a committee for the same.

( Source : dc )
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