The State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) has initiated a Suo Motu Inquiry directed at the Municipal Affairs Department regarding the implementation of the 5% reservation for persons with disabilities in Housing Schemes within the State. On 11th May 2023, an SCPD team led by Disability Commissioner Diethono Nakhro, accompanied by department officials headed by Additional Director & HOD Municipal Affairs Solesul Tholre, conducted an accessibility inspection of buildings constructed under the Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) scheme at Ruziezou, K Badze, and Meriema in Kohima.
In accordance with Section 37 (a), (b), and (c) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 and Section 44 of the Nagaland Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules 2019, the Municipal Affairs Department has agreed to convert dwelling units on the ground floor of BSUP buildings into reserved category accommodation for persons with disabilities. The SCPD Court has issued the following recommendations to the respondents, urging them to promptly implement measures to make the BSUP facilities accessible and functional for persons with disabilities:
1. Restructure doorways inside the BSUP units earmarked for persons with disabilities to accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive aids easily.
2. Equip all buildings and units designated for persons with disabilities with ramps and necessary provisions following the Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India 2021.
3. Pave approach roads to the buildings and create accessible pathways inside the compounds where feasible.
4. Rectify all sewer lines and sanitary pipes that obstruct the movement of persons with disabilities, removing sewer pipes inside the toilets if necessary.
5. Replace all Indian-style commodes with Western-style commodes and remove raised platforms before commode installation. Install vertical and horizontal bars/grab bars/safety frames and hand bidets in every toilet.
6. Direct the concerned authority storing materials in the BSUP buildings since the CoVID pandemic to clear all materials for the buildings to function effectively.
7. Issue all Notices/Notifications for PwD beneficiaries in electronic and print media, and broadcast them on radio and local news channels to ensure widespread accessibility.
The State respondents have been granted a three-month period to complete the above directions and submit an Action Taken Report to the Court.
(DIPR)