HC for fund to help disabled

The Telangana High Court has directed the state government to examine the possibility of creating a separate fund to resolve the problems being faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs), during the lockdown and till Covid-19 comes under control. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy gave the order on a PIL filed by one Shiva Ganesh Karnati, who had highlighted the plight of the PWDs. He said they were not able to get their medical check-ups done during the lockdown due to the restrictions on going to hospitals. The petitioner also sought directions to the government to implement the Comprehensive Disability Inclusive Guidelines issued by the Centre.

Earlier, the court had directed the authorities to set up a helpline for PWDs during the lockdown and give it wide publicity. The court asked the authorities to invite the participation of NGOs, especially those which work among the PWDs, for their welfare.

Fifteen days after the directions, the court saw no tangible action and expressed displeasure against the government and officials.

Petitioner’s counsel Kovvuturi Pavan Kumar informed the court that no funds were available with the officers who are dealing with the PWDs. He said some companies had given funds under their corporate social responsibility scheme to help the PWDs but the government was silent about the money. He requested the court to direct the government to list out the funding it had received.

The court directed the Advocate General to inform it of the possibility of creating a separate fund to help the PWDs.