OF INDIA
Almost regularly it is being reported at various leading news papers of the country that how a disabled, person having old age disability and Sr.Citizens are being harassed, neglected or ignored by various Government & Non Government Departments in getting their works done / disposed off In almost all the cases it can be seen that this category of persons do not get the barest sympathy or even good behavior rendered to them. Apart from news paper reporting from time to time I would like to place here some personal experience of neglect and harassment to a Retd.CGS, Hemaparasis Disabled (60%), Sr.Citizen, right side of body fully paralyzed, cannot move out side with out an escort, but can operate only computer/internet with unusual left hand for communication to rest part of world for Social Welfare works towards betterment of old age Disability and Disabled persons. Few examples are placed below for appreciation by all mankind and think about and take part for possible remedial measures to ensure better days for these victims of nature.
Case No1
1. Being a Disabled person having Handicapped Certificate No.2567 dated 09-02-04 valid up to 09-02-14 issued by appropriate authority of Govt. of West Bengal, India, had attended Chief Medical Supdt. / Metro Railway Kolkata / Tollygunge Hospital, to get a concession certificate to be issued by a “Govt. Doctor” to enable to get concession for travel by Railways along with an escort on 14-11-2009. along with H.C, Certificate issued by Medical Board of Govt. of West Bengal and other relevant documents. Attended Tollygunge Metro Railway Hospital, Kolkata as because this Hospital is very nearer to my residence and arranged treatment right from my illness i.e. from 2003 onwards and till date.
2. At 10.45 AM of 14.11.09 I meet Sr.DMO R.Bhattacherjee, (incidentally this Doctor treated me right from I was ill [Stroke, Cerebral attack] in 2003, become Hemaparasis disabled and is still under his treatment) who as Medical Supdt. treated me right from 2003 and till date and requested him to issue certificate in terms of Railways instruction that a certificate to be issued by a ‘Govt.Doctor’ that the person can travel with escort only is entitled to get a concession. After perusal of all documents presented to him, he agreed to issue certificate but requested me to meet CMS Sri.P.S.Guha and get his concurrence as because he is the Head of Department of this Hospital.
3. I was carried to CMS (2ND Floor of the building) to meet an administrator CMS P.S.Guha. Peon of CMS initially did not allow me to enter CMS’s camber but allowed as I have been directed by Sr.DMO to meet him. Surprisingly Mr.Guha CMS, not as a Doctor but as an “Administrator:, did not talk to me and enquired anything, did not go through any documents presented before him but directed my escort to hand over my appeal and documents to his office. Accordingly we submitted my appeal and documents to the office of CMS on14-11-09 itself. Office of CMS informed us that they have nothing to do in this respect as these types of works are needed to be done by respective Doctors only.
Accordingly as advised, I could meet R.Bhattachargee, Sr.DMO again at 14.10hrs and Sr.DMO accompanied by me had been to CMS, but as CMO was not available had to meet Dy.CMS Sri. A.Sengupta.
4. Dy.CMS Sri. Sengupta opined that such certificate is not issued by
Railways, was opposed by me. He said they will refer the case to
Orthopedic Hospital, Railways at Howrah. It was clarified that I am a
Patient of Neurology, I do not require any treatment, any new
Complain for treatment, but only a certificate to be issued based on all
available records that I cannot move with out an escort.
He opined and asked to keep close contact with
them from time to time to enable them to take a decision on the
issue. Since then no action taken till date.
Due to Stroke (Cerebral attack) on 21-12-2003 I had become Hemaparasis disabled patient, right side of body fully paralyzed and cannot move with out an escort is well known to all Metro railway men at Kolkata including Metro Railway Hospital, Kolkata and all international forum round the world. Metro Railway Hospital itself referred me to Head of Department of Neurology, B.R.Singh Railway Hospital and accordingly I am being treated. As such it is not understood as to why I am being advised to attend Orthopecic Hospital, Howrah which will cost transportation charges of Rs.500/- each way for single attendance i.e. extra burden to retired poor men. These Administrators found no time to verify their own records as well as to verify all records made available to them by me to realize actual position. A Disabled person is being harrased for more than one month in spite of existing instructions exists in PWD Act’1955 that certificates to a Disabled person is to be issued with in 30 days. Series of reminders have been issued to CMS, GM/ M.Rly-Kolkata and DG / RHS- Railway Board, New Delhi (India) since 14-11-2009 but without any result till date. Unfortunately in this case it is seen that Administrative pose and postures makes the case clumsy and time taking issue which is not at all easily digestible by a Disabled person. Contact details of Controlling Administrators:
General Manager/M.Rly/Kolkata. Phone.91-033-2226-7220
E-mail ID: gm@mtp.railnet.gov.in
Chief Medical Supdt./ M.Rly/Kolkata Phone: 91-033-2471-5797
Director Genl./ Railway Health Scheme/ Railway Board, New Delhi
E-mail ID: dgrhs@rb.railnet.gov.in
91-011-23383638 FAX No.
23303985
However administrative pose and ignorant attitude to a Sr.Citizen, Disabled person in this instant case is not appreciated at all and extremely regretted.
Case No 2
As a retired Indian Government Railway Servant I am eligible to get 1st class complementary free pass along with my family members (wife aged 58yrs and a sickly un married daughter 35 years) to travel over the country twice in a calendar year with an attendant free in second class i.e. lowest class in Indian Railways. As I am an extreme Disable (60%), right side of body fully paralyzed cannot move without an escort it has become useless to have an attendant / escort traveling in second class far away from me (my wife aged 58yrars and sickly daughter used to accompany me to various pilgrimage trips unable to tackle and face unusual situations in a mobile train) at the material time of requirement in train. Some specific examples are narrated below for ready appreciation by all kind hearted persons:
On the way to Kanya Kumari and Thirupathi Devasthanam I had to get down from Chennai Central Station. I had to wait in train so that AC 2 Tier compartment is vacated by others when we can get down. Unfortunately like other stations i.e. Hardware, How rah, Varanasi etc the compartment was jammed by collies who harassed, created nonsense with my family members in absence of a stout escort. During hackle I lost my mobile phone and money bag etc. In mobile train though my daughter could not tackle me properly none came out to help me which could have been avoided if my attendant / escort are allowed to travel along with me.
Similar things happened when I had been to Hardware and Puri by train. Exception is one lady attendant TTE helped me while going to lavatory and coming back during late night hours. I am grateful to this lady TTE. Similarly this time while going to Puri by Sri Jagannath Express ex Howrah on 21-11-09 (AC 2 Tier coach) one kind hearted foreign lady aged about 55years (Probably from Germany) helped me while going to lavatory and coming back each time. I am thankful to that lady helped me (Indian Rly Department may like to verify the geniuses from their own records). Unfortunately the coach attendant did not render any help but advised to move carefully. I will remember his advice. The incidents have been brought in various web sites including Indian Railway Organization for their knowledge and further actions as deemed necessary from time to time.
Under the afore said situation prevailing, I had requested Indian Railway Administration / New Delhi to allow my escort / attendant traveling on the strength of pass issued to me to accompany me in the same class so that I, Disabled Paralyzed Sr.Citizen can avail his services whenever it becomes during journey vide my prayer dated 30-06-2009 followed by series of reminders at an interval of 20 / 25 days. No action, acknowledgement of receipt or any type of response received from Railway Head Office / New Delhi so far. Probably the case of a Disabled, Sr.Citizen did not able to draw attention of an Administrator of Indian Railway Ministry and virtually ignored. Contact details of controlling Administrators are furnished below:
Chairman Railway Board / Indian Railways /New Delhi. E-mail ID:
crb@rb.railnet.gov.in Sri. S.S.Khurana Ph.No: 91-11 2338 4010
91-11 2338 2753
FAX 91-11 2338 1453
Case No.3
Disputes arising out of wrong billing for modem supplied, continuous disturbances in Broad Band services, excess billing, non working of dataone e-mail services, low speed Broad Band services and illogical as well as forcible stoppage of 20% discount of fixed charges of Broad Band connection by introducing post dated conditions etc. were reported to Chief General Manager / Calcutta Telephones / BSNL through an E-mail dated.12-03-2008 followed by reminders inclusive of incidents after an interval of every 20-25 days. CGM acknowledged and assured to look into the case in 4 occasions on reminders but no action taken. Since no action initiated by BSNL, the entire issue was brought to the notice of CMD / BSNL ( Delhi ) and hard copy of letter sent to CGM. On receipt of hard copy of letter and being directed by CMD, BSNL authority deputed their Accounts Officers to my residence for discussions and settles the issue. BSNL officers discussed the issues cordially but expressed "we have no powers to solve problems which can be done by higher authority only" They however suggested to send letters only as E-mails are not attended for want of computer operators at different offices though they are having computer and its all accessories.
The entire issues have been discussed several occasions with Sr. officials of CGM's office over telephone but with out result. These officers have also expressed that they do not attend E-mails and act upon it due to several constraints though all of them are provided with computer / internet sets. On date the status of the entire issue stand as: 60% of the disputes/ claims settled somehow and remaining being chased through E-mails under physical compulsion. Case not yet solved. Copy of latest letters to CMD / BSNL-Delhi reproduced below for ready appreciation of reluctance, ignorance and injustice to a old aged disabled person for a long time.
“03-11-2009
Dear Sri. Goyel,
Sub: "How it looks:-" placed before CMD/BSNL
Ref: 1) Your office E-mail dated. 01-07-2009
2) My E-mail to you & others dated 28-09-2009
Your kind personal is once again invited to your e-mails and my earlier letters to you.
No reply, response nor various issues pointed out from time to time in different letters are yet to be attended by concerned CGM / BSNL- Kolkata Telephones. Your personal intervention solicited.
Thanking you, Yours sincerely,
Chinmay Kar 3rd Nov '2009”
And
“25th Dec'2009 [Repeated REMINDER]
Case unsetteled since 12-03-2009 by CGM/Kolkata
CMD /BSNL
Kind attention is invited to my earlier letters where no actions have been taken so far for years together. Since this disabled person is suffering financial loss due to negligence and ignorance you are requested once again to use your good offices to interfere and see that I am out of troubles. An early action is requested. Incidentally these aspects have been brought out at all web sites for knowledge of every one.
Chinmay Kar 25th December '2009 “
Contact details of controlling Administrator are as follows:-
Mr.Kuldeep Goyel, Chairman-cum-Mg. Director / BSNL, India cmdbsnl@bsnl.co.in
Incidentally it is to mention that Sri Kodakkal Sivaprasad Of Disabled International Friendly
These are very few example, experienced by me are brought out here. Hundreds of similar Disabled victims are there who cannot avail the barest opportunity made available to them by Union Government and loosing benefits / sustain financial losses owing to Departmental ignorance, negligent attitude. I am now at the fag end of my life and as such I don’t think issues raised will be sorted out shortly but it is sure that such issues will be picked up and tackled properly to minimize the troubles to PWDs by kind hearted person / organization of the society. Let us hope for the better days for every one. – Chinmay Kar 29-12-2009
From. Bhabesh Bhattacherjee to Railway:
This is a very unfortunate and a sad picture from Railway side. It is very surprising to me that when our present Railway Minister is very much concerned about the Poor and Disabled section of the society and making all efforts to help / render better services to these victims how the instant case have been over looked for months together. Probably there exists some misunderstanding and it is hopped that Railway administration will be able to pick up threads and solutions as early as possible and keep up Railway moral. Thanking every Railway men
Bhabesh Bhattacherjee
Physiotherapist 30-12-2009
Railways administrations have been regarded as the one of the best Administrative Department of Government of India. We are very sorry to see that now a day Railway have also started ignoring, neglecting the old aged & disabled persons in actual need where as the present Railway Minister and Prime Minister of the country desires / makings special efforts to do betterment for PWDs.
Hope that PWD’s case be considered on humanitarian grounds as immediately as possible so that they can avail better life for remaining days on earth.
Manjul Haldar
Member DIF 30.11.09
Kudghat, Kolkata-700041
