SHILLONG: The state capital still has a long way to go as far as basic facilities for Persons with Disability (PwDs) are concerned and it needs to be more sensitive towards their day-to-day problems.
Walking on the road, boarding a bus, using a public toilet or even visiting parks is a challenge as facilities for PwDs are minimal in the city.
Over the last few years, some government offices have installed wheelchair ramps while many buildings are yet to install one.
Recently, Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla had said the government was in its first phase identifying around 21 buildings to construct ramps.
The ramps will be constructed in government buildings and hospitals after the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment gave the state government three years’ time to complete the three phrases.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, executive of Bethany Society Carmo Noronha lamented that as far as transportation is concerned, there is absolutely no equipment for PwDs. “Even shops, toilets and parks like Wards Lake and Lady Hydari Park are inaccessible to them,” he added.
Apart from SPTS buses, local taxis also do not provide facilities for the disabled.
In many parts of the country, installations have been made to ease boarding and alighting of passengers in wheelchairs while no such initiative is visible in Shillong. Private buildings in the city have also not given any thought about creating facilities for PwDs.
Jobs quota
A few years back, the Centre had announced its decision to increase job reservation from 3 percent to 4 percent for the disabled.
However, Noronha said though it is being implemented, the Centre is still working on the details of the policy as per grade jobs. He lamented that the process is taking time.
In Meghalaya, as per government records, there are 44,317 persons with disabilities and 37,566 of them reside in rural areas.
However, people working with Persons with Disabilities say the number may be more than a lakh.
