Udaipur, April 12: The Udaipur Roadways Depot has come under scrutiny for refusing to provide information requested under the Right to Information (RTI) Act concerning facilities for persons with disabilities. Dr. Arvinder Singh, president of the Penesia Disability Rights Activists (PDRA), submitted 11 separate RTI applications, which were collectively dismissed by the Public Information Officer, citing the requests as “impractical.”
Dr. Singh sought details about the availability of facilities for disabled individuals at bus stands and on buses, including wheelchairs, ramps, accessible toilets, helplines, separate queues, and trained staff. As a person with a disability himself, he initiated this inquiry to assess the current state of these provisions and advocate for improvements.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the response, Dr. Singh pointed out that the Roadways management referenced a Supreme Court ruling, claiming that providing such information would hinder administrative functions. He criticized this stance, arguing that it not only contradicts the spirit of the RTI Act but also shows insensitivity towards the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Dr. Singh has called for all bus stands and buses to be made accessible for disabled individuals and urged relevant authorities to issue clear directives. He emphasized that the rights of persons with disabilities are not a matter of charity but are constitutional rights.