Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, APRIL 10
In view of the state capital Kohima being listed among 24 selected cities/towns across the country under the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD) for accessibility of persons with disabilities (PWDs), the state government has constituted a Task Force for conducting Accessibility Audit of government buildings. The Task Force consists of Commissioner Disabilities, Dr.AthaVizol as the chairperson, assistant director Social Welfare, Michael Zaren as nodal officer and executive engineer Social Welfare, KezholelRhetso as member.
The Accessible India Campaign seeks to make at least 50 percent of all government buildings in the national capital and all the state capitals fully accessible for the disabled by July 2018.
In order to implement the campaign, an accessibility audit of at least 25 important government buildings and converting them into fully accessible buildings is required to be done by July 2016 in the selected cities under the first phase.
Towards this, the state government has identified 30 government buildings in Kohima for accessibility audit for conversion into fully accessible buildings- Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima Civil Hospital, DC office, PHQ, under construction Commissions building, NPSC, AG, Administrative Training Institute, Kohima Municipal Council, New Super Market under Urban Development, IG Stadium, Kohima Local Ground, Commissioner’s office, Head Post Office, Kohima Science College, Kohima Arts College, and the directorates of Employment Exchange, Social Welfare, Irrigation & Flood Control, Health & Family Welfare, School Education, Industries & Commerce, IT & C, Works & Housing, PHE, Power, Higher and Technical Education, Rural Development, Youth Resources & Sports, Employment & Craftsmen.
According to the state Task Force chairman, the physical inspection and audit of each of the selected building by the State Task Force will be held from April 12-19.
Each department is to submit an estimate to Social Welfare Department within one month of the inspection.
The main components of Accessible India Campaign areBuilt Environment Accessibility, Transportation Accessibility and Information & Communication System Accessibility.
The main objective of the campaign is to enable persons with disabilities to gain universal access, equal opportunity for development, independent living and participation in all aspects of life in an inclusive society.
