21 July,2017 07:14 PM IST | Mumbai | Santosh Wagh
Even as new RPWD Act, 2016 recommends two years jail imprisonment and fine of Rs 1 lakh for those travelling in handicapped coaches, police blame-game is helping offenders get away with murder
Offenders still get away with fines of between R150 and R200
It's not unusual to see commuters, who fail to find room in the space-crunched local trains, thoughtlessly hop on to the handicapped coach. What they don't know is that this breach could land them behind bars for at least two years with a fine of R1 lakh. But, thanks to the railway police, which is knowingly cutting them some slack, the offenders are getting away with measly fines.
Over the last few months, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been carrying out special drives to curb the rampant menace.
Their method of publicly humiliating the offenders by making them stand on crutches on the platform may have drawn a lot of attention and deterred a few travellers. But, activists are surprised that the police have conveniently turned a blind eye to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act 2016, which could otherwise be a permanent solution to the problem.
The Act, which came into force last December and replaces the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, recommends a two-year jail term and R1 lakh fine for persons travelling in the handicapped coach. But, far from implementing the new law, the RPF is letting the offenders go with petty fines.
Due to zero implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, offenders are getting away with measly fines of anywhere between Rs 150 - 200
Turning a blind eye
On Tuesday, the RPF arrested 29 offenders, who were found travelling in handicapped coaches on local trains. Of these, six belonged to the police force and five were government servants. All the offenders were produced in the metropolitan magistrate court at CST. They were later booked under Section 155 of Railway Act and were allowed to go with a fine of Rs 150.
The paltry fine amount has irked activists working for the rights of disabled persons. "Nobody is talking about the RPWD Act 2016, which gives more rights to the disabled persons," says advocate and activist Nitin Gaikwad. "I wrote to various authorities to implement the law, but there has been no action yet."
Another activist, Samir Zaveri, says the railways' inaction is reflection of their apathy towards people with disabilities. "The RPF maintains that they don't have power to enact the law, and that it's the job of the Government Railway Police (GRP) does. If that's the case, they should handover such offenders to the GRP personnel, so that the message will go out straight and clear," he said.
Blame game continues
Meanwhile, the RPF and GRP are busy passing the buck to each other despite the law coming into force nearly seven months ago.
Sachin Bhalode, senior divisional security commissioner, RPF, CR, admitted he had received various queries regarding implementation of the RPWD Act 2016 by RPF personnel. "But, in reality we don't have the powers to implement the law. This law comes under purview of state, so GRP should take care of it," he said.
Samadhan Pawar, DCP, GRP, wash his hands off the issue by blaming the RPF. "We don't have any difficulty implementing RPWD Act 2016, but RPF must keep us in the loop. If they send these offenders to us, we will take action," he said.
