District Magistrate Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Friday issued an order directing ten “errant schools” notified as polling stations in the district to immediately allow construction of ramps at their premises as part of the ECI-mandated Assured Minimum Facilities at polling stations.
The order states the setting up of ramps for Persons withDisabilities or PwD voters at notified polling stations is mandated as per thedirections of the Supreme Court with the aim to facilitate them in exercising their right to full and effectiveparticipation and inclusion in society.
The order states that hindrances in this regard are undueand account for serious violation of provisions of the Representation ofPeoples Act 1951.
The order also orders constitution of a committee headed bythe Joint Director Planning which will undertake accessibility audit of allgovernment and private schools in the Srinagar district and submit compiledfindings in the regard within a period of one month.
It states that enabling a barrier-free environment forstudents with special needs in schools is mandated under the J&K Personswith Disabilities Act 1998 as well as the central Scheme for Implementation ofPersons with Disabilities Act 1995.
It also states that construction of ramps in schools as partof other measures for facilitating children with special needs is also mandatedin the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights’ Manual On Safety andSecurity of Children.