HC Orders Disability Audits of Every Building, Parks 

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has ordered Social Welfare Disability Commissioner (Nodal Officer) to cause disability audits of every building, facilities including access, open areas as parks, gardens, pavements, roads, transportation modes etc, in the state.

“We also take on record and accept the “Access to All – Sensitization Programme”  and the “Internal Audit Training – as per Harmonised Guidelines, 2016”. It is noteworthy that the Harmonised Guidelines, 2016 stand issued by the Ministry of Urban Development of the Government of India,” a bench headed by Chief Justice said while hearing a Public Interest Litigation. 

These reports were filed by the Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department, J&K  and Nipman Foundation in accordance with the report of the Department of Architecture in Abdul Ahad Azad Memorial Degree College, Bemina, which is a Cluster University.

“It is directed that these two documents shall guide all persons, authorities and institutions in the State of Jammu and Kashmir,” the court added.  

The court issued a direction to the Secretary, Department of Social Welfare as well as the Registrar General of the Court to ensure that both these programmes—the “Access to All – Sensitization Programme” and the “Internal Audit Training – as per Harmonised Guidelines, 2016” module are circulated to all Judges, concerned persons, authorities and institutions so that they are complied with.

“Let “Access to All Sensitization Programme” and “Internal Audit Training” module be made available by Nipman Foundation in soft format to the Registrar General of this Court; the Secretary, Social Welfare Department and the Principal Secretary to Government, R&B Department. Let the same be notified by the State Government. The same shall be posted on the Government and Court Website,” the court said.

The same shall also be made available to the Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, J&K so that the same are made available for compliance to all authorities responsible for sanctioning building plans; undertaking developmental activities and undertaking constructions in the State of J&K, including all Municipal Corporations; all Development Authorities including the Gulmarg Development Authority, the Pahalgam Development Authority, the Sonamarg Development Authority etc.; Universities, Colleges, Hospitals, Schools, Transport Department, Departments of Horticulture and Floriculture, Police, Jails, etc, the court added.

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