NGO threatens to file criminal case against PCMC

Non-governmental organisation Jagrit Apanga Sanstha has threatened to file a criminal case against the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) for the latter’s failure to set up ramps for the physically handicapped at its offices.

Speaking to DNA, the outfit’s president, Manav Kamble, who is physically handicapped, said there are over 25,000 like him in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area and they find it difficult to visit the PCMC’s various offices in the absence of ramps. They have to depend on others to visit get their work done.

He said as per the Disability Act, 1995, it is mandatory for all government authorities to provide special ramps for the physically handicapped.

“Since the PCMC has not followed the rule, we
have decided to  file  a criminal case  against  the  civic body,” he said.

“I have been requesting the civic administration to provide ramps at its head office for the past three years. I had also written to the then PCMC commissioner, Dilip Band, in April 2007,” he claimed.
Even after the directorate of social welfare, acting on Kamble’s letter, instructed the civic body to set up ramps, the PCMC is yet to install them.

DNA had highlighted the issue last year and PCMC commissioner, Ashish Sharma, had assured that he would issue instructions immediately to construct ramps for the disabled according to the law.

Even though the PCMC has spent Rs7 crore to construct the new general body hall at its head office last year and Rs20 crore for renovating its engineering, octroi and education departments, it has apparently done nothing towards constructing ramps.

The PCMC spokesperson, Dilip Kudale, said he would first verify whether such facilities exist or not at its head office and other offices.