Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday pulled up the Maharashtra government for its delay in convening the Disability Board’s meeting, which is meant to address accessibility issues at public places faced by the differently abled. The court had directed the state in January to convene the meeting in February, but it was instead scheduled for March 19.

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, mandates formation of the Disability Board and that it must meet twice a year.

“This is how the government shows sensitivity to such people. We passed the order in January, and the government fixes the meeting in March. This is your sensitivity? You sit at leisure. We are surprised,” remarked a bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre.

Calling it a “pathetic situation,” the court directed the government to place on record the decisions taken in the meeting at the next hearing on April 1.

The HC had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the issue after receiving an email from Karan Shah, a 25-year-old wheelchair user. Shah highlighted how closely placed bollards on footpaths made them inaccessible for people like him.

During the hearing, Advocate Jamshed Mistry, appointed as amicus curiae (friend of the court), pointed out that the various policy related issues are pending which have to referred to the Board.

State advocate Poornima Kantharia informed the court that the board had now been constituted and that the meeting was set for March 19. The court, however, was unimpressed with the delay.

Earlier, in January, the state had assured the court that a complete composition of the advisory board had been finalised, and a dedicated email address was launched for better communication. The affidavit submitted by the state had outlined the agenda for the first meeting, which included improving accessibility of Mumbai’s footpaths, periodic medical examinations for disabled students, and reviewing government buildings, websites, and hospitals for disability-friendliness.

The board will also review the implementation of a 4% reservation in promotions in government jobs under Section 34 of the Disabilities Act, and a 5% reservation in agricultural land, housing, and poverty alleviation schemes under Section 37.