Bombay High Court Seeks State's Affidavit Explaining Steps Taken to Strengthen Education for Disabled Persons

The Bombay High Court has directed the state government to file an affidavit explaining the implementation of its decision to strengthen education for disabled persons.

The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, was hearing a PIL filed by NGO Anamprem. The NGO seeks relief for disabled people and the implementation of the Right to Persons with Disabilities Act, of 2016.

During the hearing today, the bench was informed that the state government had decided to reserve time slots in the educational broadcasting provided by Doordarshan and Aakashvani. The School Education and Sports Department, with the help of sign language interpreters, will facilitate this initiative.

It was also decided that Doordarshan would broadcast these educational programs on DD Sahyadri throughout Maharashtra for two hours in the morning and evening. The programs will include video clips featuring sign language interpreters, making them accessible to disabled students.

However, another affidavit filed by the state on February 11, 2022, stated that the required expense to implement the decision was Rs. 4 crore, which was unavailable with the state.

Therefore, the high court has called upon the state to file a fresh affidavit explaining the steps to implement the decision made at the meeting.

Additionally, the high court directed the central government to file an affidavit detailing how the decisions taken at the meeting could be implemented.