the goan I network
PANAJI
People with locomotor disabilities have alleged that the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) is asking them to affix a full body semi-naked photograph in passport size on the ‘disability certificate’, even though this is not mandated by law, and leads to uncomfortable or embarrassing situations for the people concerned.
The Rules of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation)Act, 1996, regarding the issuance of the Disability Certificate were amended nine years ago, and the full body photograph which was mandatory earlier was replaced with “Recent PP size attested photograph (showing face only) of the person with disability.”
Yet, differently-abled persons who have recently visited the Medical Board especially at the GMC, to obtain the ‘Disability Certificate’ or ‘Railway Concession Certificate’, were told to get full body photograph either in 3x4” or passport size.
One such is Vishant Nagvekar who has written to the dean of the GMC and the director of the Directorate of Health Services in this regard, explaining that this procedure is not only not mandated by law, but is embarrassing to the person in question.
Explains Nagvekar in his letter, “A few officials dealing with the issuance of the Disability Certificates misinterpret the amendment of the Act as “full body photograph in passport size.” This act of the officials / doctors has flouted the mandate of the Amended Rules 2009 which (prohibits) from affixing the full body semi-naked photograph.”
He further explains that the Disability Certificate, Railway Concession certificate or any other certificate issued to differently-abled persons are issued only after thorough evaluation of the disability by the professional medical practitioner or Medical Board.
Therefore, a full body photograph showing the person’s disability becomes irrelevant, and a passport size photograph showing the person’s face is mandated.
The officials also fail to understand that there are some disabilities which cannot be seen on photographs.
Nagvekar has thus requested the authorities to direct the official dealing with or in-charge of issuing disabilities certificates to refrain from harassing persons with disabilities by demanding a full body photograph in 4x6” or 3x4” or passport size.
A copy of the letter has also been sent to the Ministry for Health - Goa, the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disability, New Delhi, the Additional Commissioner for Persons with Disability, (North / South), Goa, the State Commissioner for Persons with Disability, Directorate of Social Welfare, Panaji, the Secretary for Health, Goa.
