Overview

• The Bombay High Court reprimanded the Maharashtra government for delays in convening the Disability Advisory Board's meeting, mandated under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
• Despite the advisory board being tasked with addressing accessibility issues, no meetings had been held since its formation, prompting the court to demand urgent action and a detailed report.
• The issue of inaccessible footpaths, particularly due to obstructive poles and bollards, was brought to the court's attention by a wheelchair user, Karan Sunil Shah, and advocate Jamshed Mistry in 2023.
• The state government has now scheduled the board's first meeting for March 19, 2025, after previously missing a February deadline set by the court.
• The advisory board's agenda includes improving footpath accessibility, conducting medical evaluations for disabled individuals, and reviewing public infrastructure for compliance with disability-friendly standards.