Thursday, June 14, 2018

Mukhtar Singh, Dulal Lal & Jagdish Rai Vs. The Director, Department of Social Welfare | Case No. 205/1092/2018/04/7830-36 | Dated: 13.06.2018


In the Court of State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities
National Capital Territory of Delhi
25- D, Mata Sundari Road, Near Guru Nanak Eye Centre, New Delhi-2
Phone-011-23216002-04, Telefax: 011-23216005, Email: comdis.delhi@nic.in
[Vested with powers of Civil Court under the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016]


Case No. 205/1092/2018/04/7830-36                          Dated: 13.06.2018

In the matter of:

Sh. Mukhtar Singh
B.M. 3, Bandhe Matram Kust Rogi Seva Samiti,
Tahirpur, Jhilmil,
Delhi-110095.                                                             Complainant

Versus

The Director,
Department of Social Welfare,
GLNS Complex, Delhi Gate,
New Delhi-110002.                                                      Respondent

Case No. 206/1092/2018/04/                                      

In the matter of:

Sh. Dulal Pal,
T.Huts No. 17, Bandhe Matram Kusht Rogi Sewa Samiti,
Tahirpur, Dilshad Garden,
Delhi-110095.                                                             Complainant

Versus

The Director,
Department of Social Welfare,
GLNS Complex, Delhi Gate,
New Delhi-110002.                                                      Respondent

Case No. 204/1092/2018/04/                                      

In the matter of:

Sh. Jagdish Rai,
B.M. 3, Bandhe Matram Kusht Rogi Sewa Samiti,
Tahirpur, Dilshad Garden,
Delhi-110095.                                                             Complainant

Versus

The Director,
Department of Social Welfare,
GLNS Complex, Delhi Gate,
New Delhi-110002.                                                      Respondent

Date of Hearing:    08.06.2018

Present: Sh. Mukhtar Singh, Sh. Dulal Pal and Sh. Jagdish Rai complainants are in person.
              Smt. Aarti Kapoor, District Officer (North-East) on behalf of respondent.

         
Order

The above named Leprosy cured persons vide their complaints dated 01.04.2018 submitted that they were getting disability pension of Rs. 1,500/- per month, which has been stopped from September, 2016/ August 2016/ October, 2016.  Sh. Anoop Sagar, Editor of Halla Bol Times also submitted representation and requested for a high level inquiry. 
2.      The complaints were taken up with the respondent vide show cause-cum-hearing notices dated 16.04.2018, 19.04.2018 and 17.04.2018. 
3.      The complaint of Sh. Mukhtar Singh was also received from the Court of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities vide letter dated 15.05.2018.    As the complaints pertain to identical issue and the same District Social Welfare Office i.e. North-East, all the three complaints were clubbed and heard on 07.05.2018. The respondent vide letter dated 26.04.2018 informed that as per the directions of this Court, the complainants were contacted on their mobile phones and to know the status about their pension.  It was found that the Office Superintendent RCL, Leprosy Cured has informed that the complainants were not the beneficiaries of the RCL. Their pension was stopped by the then District Officer (North-East) with the remark “pension stopped due to doubt case”.  After physical verification of the documents of the beneficiaries, further necessary action will be taken.
4.      On the date of hearing on 07.05.2018, Ms Aarti Kapoor, District Officer (North East) submitted that the status report would be submitted within a week after physical verification.  On the next date of hearing on 08.06.2018, she submitted a letter dated 08.06.2018 of Dy. Director (FAS), as per which the amount released are as under:-
1)    Sh. Mukhtiyar Singh       Rs.21000/- (a/c base).
2)    Sh. Jagdish Rai             Rs.23000/- (Aadhaar base)
3)    Sh. Dulal Pal                 Rs.21000/- (a/c base)
         She submitted that after verification, the disability pension in respect of Sh. Mukhtar Singh, Sh. Jagdish Rai and Sh. Dulal Pal has been released including the arrears based on her report.  The amount will be credited into their accounts within a few days.  On a query as to the basis for recording the remark, “stop pension doubt case” by Sh. Tudu Joseph, the then District Officer, she informed that no reason has been mentioned. Smt. Aarti Kapoor also stated that as the accounts of Sh. Mukhtar Singh and Sh. Dulal Pal have not been linked to their Aadhaars, they would not be getting their full pension of Rs. 2,500/-. They have been advised to do the needful so that their full pension can be released. 
5.      In the light of the above discussion, it is important for Social Welfare Department to put in place clear guidelines for the Inspecting Officers before stopping the pension.  The reasons for doing so should be clearly recorded.  It should also be uploaded in the website and communicated to the beneficiaries to avoid complaints as also the misuse of the scheme by unscrupulous persons.  Sh. Tudu Joseph be advised to inform the District Officer as to the basis of stopping the disability pension of above mentioned three complainants. 
6.      The complaints are disposed off.
7.      Given under my hand and the seal of the Court this 12th day of June, 2018.

(T.D. Dhariyal)
           State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities


Copy to the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, 6 Sarojini House, Bhagwan Dass Road, New Delhi, w.r.t. letter no. 9636/1024/2018 dated 15.05.2018.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Satish Prasad Vs. The Director, Deptt. of Education & Anr. | Case No. 236/1024/2018/05/7822-24 | Dated: 13/06/2018


In the Court of State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities
National Capital Territory of Delhi
25- D, Mata Sundari Road, Near Guru Nanak Eye Centre, New Delhi-2
Phone-011-23216002-04, Telefax: 011-23216005, Email: comdis.delhi@nic.in
[Vested with powers of Civil Court under
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016]


Case No. 236/1024/2018/05/7822-24                                            Dated: 13/06/2018
In the matter of:
Shri Satish Prasad,
H.No. 405, Gali No. 19, Main Market,
Sant Nagar Burari, Delhi-110084                                              ………………..Petitioner
Versus
The Director,
Department of Education,
Govt. of NCT of Delhi,
Old Secretariat, Delhi-110054                                                   …………..Respondent No. 1

The Principal,
SBV, Timarpur,
Delhi-110054
(School I.D. No. 1207012)                                                           …………..Respondent No. 2

O  R  D  E  R

Vide his email dated 03/05/2018, Shri Satish Prasad, submitted that he is working as Guest Teacher in Department of Education on contract basis in SBV, Timapur, Delhi-110054. He has not received his salary for the month of March and April, 2018.

2.                    The complaint was taken up with respondents under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Act 2016, herein after referred to as the Act, vide notice dated 10/5/2018 with the direction to submit an ATR within 30 days. Simultaneously, the complainant was directed to submit a copy of his disability certificate and letter of appointment as guest teacher within 15 days vide letter dated 10/5/2018.

3.                    While the complainant did not submit the documents, the respondent No.2 (Principal, SBV, Timarpur) vide letter dated 30/5/2018 submitted that the salary of the complainant for the month of March and April, 2018 had been released on 10/5/2018 and 14/5/2018. The Complainant was also contacted on his mobile no. 9899578489 on 08/6/2018 and he confirmed that the matter has been resolved.

4.         In view of the above, the case is closed and disposed off accordingly.

5.         Given under my hand and the seal of the Court this 12th day of June, 2018.

                

   (T. D. Dhariyal)
                                                          State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Dr. Nitesh Tripathi Vs. The Commissioner, North Delhi Municipal Corporation & 4 Others | Case No. 4/1754/2017/Wel/CD/7806-7810A | Dated: 12.06.2018


In the Court of State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities
National Capital Territory of Delhi
25-D, Mata Sundari Road, Near Guru Nanak Eye Centre, New Delhi-2
Phone 011-23216002-04, Telefax:011-23216005, Email: comdis.delhi@nic.in
(Vested with powers of Civil Court under the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016)


Case No. 4/1754/2017/Wel/CD/7806-7810A           Dated: 12.06.2018

In Re:

Dr. Nitesh Tripathi
H.No. 241, Gali No. 11, B-Block,
Sant Nagar, Burari,
Delhi-110084.                                                     …………..Complainant

The Commissioner,
North Delhi Municipal Corporation,
Dr. SPM Civic Centre, 4th Floor,
J.L.N. Marg, New Delhi-110002.                          …….Respondent No.1

Ms. Aman Enterprises (Airtel Store)
100 Feet Main Sant Nagar Road,
Burari, Delhi-110084.                                    ……… Respondent No. 2

The Executive Engineer, PWD,
Bhairon Marg, T-Junction, Ring Road/
Near Pragati Power Station,
New Delhi-110002.                                      …………Respondent No. 3

The Chairman-Cum-Managing Director,
Bharti Enterprises,
6th Floor, Tower A, Plot No. 16,
Udyog Vihar Industrial Area,
Phase-4, Gurgaon – 122016.                            .….. Respondent No. 4


The Engineer-In-Chief,
PWD, GNCT of Delhi,
MSO Bldg., I.P. Estate,New Delhi.                    …..Respondent No.5

Date of Hearing:          08.06.2018

Present:              Sh. Y.A. Jafri, AE, Ms. Neelam Arora, Chief Architect on behalf of respondent No.1, Sh. Chetan on behalf of respondent No.2, Sh. Yadvinder Singh EE, C&MD,  on behalf of respondent No. 3,  Sh. Hitesh Kr. Singh, Advocate on behalf of respondent No. 4,

ORDER

                                    The above named complainant, a person with 65% locomotor disability vide his  email dated 12.09.2017 submitted that he visited the Airtel Store  (Aman Enterprises 100 feet main Sant nagar Road Burari, Delhi) on 15.09.2017  for processing of biometric verification.  He got injured due to inaccessible stairs and could not do the verification.    He also mentioned that as the store is located in the area that falls under the jurisdiction of North DMC, they should be directed to ensure the accessibility to such a public place. He requested that the Store be directed to make proper arrangement for home visit by deputing an executive for biometric verification of his Aadhar number or make their outlet accessible for persons with disabilities.  Vide his another email dated 15.03.2018, complainant also pointed out that he was yet to receive refund of Rs. 3200/- from the respondent. 

2.      The complaint was taken up with respondent No. 1&2 vide Notice dated 06.10.2017 under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 hereinafter referred to as an Act and a hearing was scheduled on 03.01.2018.  However, the respondents did not  appear and they were directed to submit ATR by 15.01.2018 and the matter was fixed for hearing on 02.02.2018.

3.      Executive Engineer (M-I)/CLZ  vide his letter dated 24.01.2018 informed that the matter does not pertain to North DMC as all the roads above 60 feet ROW have been transferred to Public Works Department (PWD).  Therefore action, if any, is to be taken up by PWD.

4.      During the hearing on 02.02.2018, the representative of North DMC also informed that MCD and PWD had jointly removed encroachment from that area and submitted a copy of the photograph of the store.  It was expected that the owner of the said store would make arrangement for free access for persons with disabilities.

5.      As none appeared to represent M/s Aman Enterprise, the owner/occupier of the store was directed to appear on 13.03.2018.  It was also informed that as per Section 46 of the Act, the premises need to be made accessible for persons with disabilities failing which he would run the risk of being punished u/s 89 of the Act for contravention of the provisions of the Act.

6.      As the respondent No.2 & 3 did not appear on the next date of hearing on 13.03.2018 also Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Bharti Enterprise and Engineer-in-Chief, PWD, GNCT of Delhi were impleaded as Respondent No. 4 & 5 vide RoP dated 15.03.2018

7.      As the respondent No.2 continued to defy the direction to appear, Proclamation Requiring Attendance was issued on 03.05.2018.  Thereafter, the proxy counsel for respondent No. 4 requested for  adjournment of the hearing on 07.05.2018 as the father of the learned counsel expired recently.

8.      On the next date of hearing on 08.06.2018, representative of North  Delhi Municipal Corporation (North  DMC) respondent No. 1 submitted that even though they have no role to play, they facilitated  installation of portable ramp for persons with disabilities and requested that North DMC may be exempted from further appearance in the hearings, if any. 

9.      The representative of the respondent No. 2 submitted the  photographs of store which shows temporary provision of a ramp to facilitate entry of persons with disabilities to the store.  Although the ramp  is very steep, yet as per him it shows the bona fide intention of the owner to make it easier for persons with disabilities to use the services. 

10.    As regards refund on surrendering of dongle by the complainant,  Sh. Hitesh Kumar Singh, the learned counsel for  respondent No. 4 assured that the complainant will  be contacted on his email Id and mobile phone and  a representative will be deputed to resolve the issue within 10 days.  He further submitted that the company is conscious about the needs of persons with disabilities and they are inclusive about it.  They are also opening their own stores at various places which are disabled friendly and their other franchisees who are working from the old commercial buildings are as per the approved plan from the concerned authorities.  This particular store is working as a franchise on principal to principal basis.

11.    The respondent No. 3 who appeared subsequently, submitted that he has recently joined the Department.  However, he would do whatever best is possible for easy access of persons with disabilities to Store in question.  A copy of the pictures of temporary iron ramp in front of the  store installed by respondent No. 2 was handed over to him to do the needful and has been directed to submit an ATR by 06.07.2018.

12.    From the above mentioned proceedings of this case, it is observed that except North DMC (respondent No. 3), rest of the respondents have  shown less than adequate concern about an  important issue of access to public places and services  to persons with disabilities.  Non-compliance with the repeated requests and directions issued under the  Act also indicate their scant regard for the statutory authority created under the Act. This is a matter of concern for the disability sector and persons with disabilities,  while the country has come out with one of the most progressive legislations on the rights of persons with disabilities in line with United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the organizations mandated to make public buildings and services accessible to persons with disabilities, continue avoiding the mandate despite the fact that implementation of Section 46 of the Act prescribes a time limit of two years to ensure accessibility by service providers.  The said section is reproduced below:

“The service providers whether Government or private shall provide services in accordance with the rules on accessibility formulated by the Central Government under section 40 within a period of two years from the date of notification of such rules:
Provided that the Central Government in consultation with the Chief Commissioner may grant extension of time for providing certain category of services in accordance with the said rules”.

13.    It will also be in the fitness of things to mention that Section 89 provides, “any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this Act, or of any rule made thereunder shall for first contravention be punishable with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees and for any subsequent contravention with fine which shall not be less than fifty thousand rupees but which may extend to five lakh rupees”.

14.    Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities had notified the guidelines for making built environment accessible for persons with disabilities on 15.06.2017. Therefore the service providers are required to ensure provisions of services in accordance with the said accessibility standards by 15.06.2019. By now, all service providers including respondent No. 2 and 4 should have taken substantial steps so that the services being provided by them can be made accessible by 15.06.2019.   

15.    In view of the position mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, it is recommended that respondent No. 2 & 4 should ensure that the services they provide in the National Capital Territory of Delhi are accessible to persons with disabilities in accordance with the guidelines formulated by the Central Govt.

16.    As regards biometric verification of Aadhar number and refund on surrendering of dongle to the complainant, respondent No. 2 & 4 are advised to resolve the matter by 30.06.2018. An action taken report be submitted to this court within three months from the date of receipt of this order as required under Section 81 of the Act.

17.    The matter is disposed off accordingly.   

18.    Given under my hand and the seal of the Court this 12th day of  June, 2018.


( T.D. Dhariyal )
State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities


Saturday, June 9, 2018

Pradeep Kumar Vs. The Chairman, DSSSB | Case No. 155/1041/2018/03/7739-40 | Dated: 08.06.2018



In the Court of State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities
National Capital Territory of Delhi
25- D, Mata Sundari Road, Near Guru Nanak Eye Centre, New Delhi-2
Phone-011-23216002-04, Telefax: 011-23216005, Email: comdis.delhi@nic.in
[Vested with powers of Civil Court under the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016]


Case No. 155/1041/2018/03/7739-40                         Dated: 08.06.2018

In the matter of:

Sh. Pradeep Kumar
S/o Sh. Zile Singh
R/o 1569 Near Brahman Chopal
Pna Mamur Pur, Narela
Delhi-110040.                                                             .……Applicant

Versus

The Chairman
Delhi Subordinate Service Selection Board
F-18, Institutional Area
Karkardooma,
Delhi-110092.                                                              ...…Respondent

Date of Hearing:    07.06.2018

Present:      Sh. Pradeep Kumar, applicant in person.
Sh. LR Garg, Member DSSSB on behalf of respondent.

         
ORDER

The above named complainant, a person with 90% Locomotor  disability vide his complaint dated 06.03.2018 submitted that DSSSB conducted the (Tier-I) examination for the post of Administrative Officer/Z.R.O. in Delhi Jal Board on 31.05.2015 after a gap of three years from the closing date of applications.  The result of Tier-I examination was declared on 28.07.2016.  But Tier-II examination had not been held.  He therefore submitted that the examination process should be completed within six months.
2.      The complaint was taken up with the respondent vide notice dated 13.03.2018 followed by a reminder dated 17.04.2018 and a hearing was held on 07.06.2018.
3.      During the hearing on 07.06.2018, the representative of the respondent submitted a report dated 06.06.2018 as per which the Tier-II examination for the post code 67/12 has already been conducted on 03.06.2018.  The complainant was issued an admit card and was also present in the examination. There was however, no discrimination against the complainant.
4.      The complainant confirmed that he has appeared in the Tier-II  examination on 03.06.2018.  He further stated that as Tier-II examination was not being held for long, he filed this complaint.  However, as the examination has already been held, he has no further grievance in this regard.  In light of this, the complaint is disposed of.
5.      Given under my hand and the seal of the Court this 08th day of June, 2018.

(T.D. Dhariyal)
           State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities