Braille drive stuck in blind alley

“The order has come very late,with just two weeks left for the polls. Only a limited number can be printed in the next 10 days,” said a senior officer with the state social welfare department in the Mantralaya.

An order for 85,000 copies has been placed but it is highly unlikely that it will be completed. “There are a lot of processes and it will take a long time,” added the officer. Moreover there has not been enough publicity and very few will turn out,he added.

An official with the disability commissioner’s office said they don’t have the exact count of the blind in the state or the district,so coordination would be difficult.

The Mantralaya officer said all officers at polling booths should have been trained in the job and at least one person should understand Braille. “I don’t think it can be effectively implemented.”

Also,the National Association of the Blind needs to coordinate with the Devnar Foundation for the Blind on preparing slips with candidates and symbol. “It is too short a notice,” said an association member.

Poona Blind Men’s Association executive director NP Pandya welcomed the initiative but agreed it was too late. He said Pune has nearly 10,000-12,000 blind people but few know about this facility. “They have always used a helper and might continue doing so as I doubt that the required slips in Braille would be made available.” According to rule 49N of the Conduct of Election Rules,1961,the blind can use a helper.