Bengaluru: Government buildings continue to be inaccessible to disabled

BENGALURU: Many medical institutions and government buildings across the state continue to be inaccessible for the disabled and they have not fully utilize the government funds meant to improve accessibility.

A major chunk of funds allocated to these institutions to provide infrastructure for differently abled under the SIPDA scheme (Scheme for Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995) continues to remain unutilized.

“It is really difficult for us to access different departments on the campus. We have to depend on our friends most of the time to go anywhere,” said Rashmi, a specially abled student.

Around Rs 9.32 crore was granted to various institutions and buildings, including 19 government buildings in Hassan, Mysuru medical institute, Mandya medical science institute, Raichur medical science institute and other buildings, but till now only Rs 4.92 crore has been utilized till now.

Dr Siddaraju, Director of Department of Empowerment of Differently Abled & Senior Citizen said, “We will be writing a letter to the minister and district in-charge minister from the home ministry to finish or payback unused amount.”
This has adversely affected Accessible India Campaign that was launched by Prime Minister in 2015.

Accessible India Campaign is a program that comes with an index to measure the design of disabled-friendly buildings and human resource policies. The programme aims to serve the differently-able community in the country.
“We cannot start any work under Accessible India Campaign until the allocated funds are completely utilized,” added Dr Siddaraju.

Even a Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices A.K. Sikri and Ashok Bhushan, had on December 15 said the government buildings and educational institutes must be compatible with the needs of differentlyabled people with number around 26.8 million, which constitutes 2.21% of India’s total population.

“Planning, procurement, and tender is the problem. They did not initiate the process in advance and the reflection is what you're seeing now,” said V. Ravichandar, an urban expert.

More than 40 government buildings and hospitals in Bengaluru were notified to provide disabled-friendly feature with an estimated cost of '2218.78 lakh last year under Accessible India Campaign. Due to this delay in the process, these buildings are not getting the financial aid.