Inform about facilities for disabled during polls: HC tells SEC.

Times of India: Nagpur: Vijay Ganjapurel: Sunday, January 22, 2017.

Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court added State Election Commission (SEC) as a respondent in the PIL praying for compliance of Maharashtra government's resolution of 2005, which mandated facilities for disabled.

A division bench comprising justice Bhushan Gavai and Justice Sunil Shukre directed the election commissioner to make a statement on next hearing on facilities like ramps and handrails to be provided to the specially-abled persons, to enable them to exercise their franchise rights.

The court also told assistant government pleader to take instructions on providing facilities at 37 buildings in the city, the proposal of which was already dispatched to the Government of India. The central government through counsel AM Joshi was asked to take instructions on progress regarding similar facilities at various post office buildings in the city.

All the respondents were told to file their replies before February 2, fixed as next date of hearing.

The PIL is filed by NGO Indradhanu through president PN Andhare, who is himself disabled, and secretary Prakash Sohoni, praying for directives to the local authorities, including Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), to make efforts to implement by-laws, guidelines and measures to ensure a barrier-free built environment and non-discrimination in transport for the handicapped and senior citizens.