Despite the Directorate of Social Justice passing a government order
directing hospitals and government offices to provide exclusive queues
for disabled persons, the order is yet to be implemented in the state.
Even
today, as proof of the cold response the order has garnered, many of
the disabled persons are still seen standing in regular queues waiting
for hours along with the general public at general hospitals, offices of
the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the like.
“We have
not witnessed any positive move by the government bodies in this regard.
If we had to wait in queue along with the rest of the persons for
certificates at the village office or the general hospital, we are still
forced to do so.
The situation has not changed even a bit. Unless
the government effectively ensures that it is implemented, the
situation won’t change”, said Kerala Vikalanga Samyukta Samiti (KVSS)
assistant secretary Naser Manayil.
In a circular issued on July 19
by the additional chief secretary, department of Social Justice, it has
been stated that ‘special queues’ should be provided for disabled
persons at hospitals and other departments functioning under the
government.
The order was issued based on a petition filed by the
Bharathiya Vikalanga Aikya Association, which stated that the disabled
persons are not given any humanitarian concern in public places.
Speaking
on this, Govindan Namboothiri, additional chief secretary, said that
the order has been passed taking into consideration the demands put
forward by such organisations.
“It is an executive instruction
which is expected to be followed,” he said. He however clarified that
the order cannot be forced upon any government institution.
K
Gopalakrishna, secretary of the Bharathiya Vikalanga Aikya Association
said that even though they are satisfied with such an order, it should
be keenly followed up by the department of Social Justice.
“Otherwise,
it will end up being a mere eye-wash just to keep the disabled
associations happy”, he said. He added that similar orders had been
passed by the government earlier and it had not been effective.
Source : The New Indian Express , 26th August 2013
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