Jodhpur, July 31 -- The Court of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities has directed the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) to design a wheelchair tailored to the specific needs of individuals suffering from muscular dystrophy, officials familiar with the matter said. The order was passed on Tuesday by chief commissioner for persons with disabilities S Govindraj, in response to a complaint filed by Vaibhav Bhandari, a resident of Pali district. Muscular dystrophy (MD) refers to a group of genetic disorders that cause progressive weakening and degeneration of skeletal muscles. Bhandari had applied for financial assistance under the National Fund for Persons with Disabilities in August 2021. However, he alleged that despite receiving in-principle approval, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) failed to act on his request in accordance with the applicable rules. "The wheelchair proposed by ALIMCO was unsuitable due to its excessive weight, making movement and travel extremely difficult for persons with muscular dystrophy," he said. The commissioner underlined that individuals with muscular dystrophy, like all citizens, have a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(d) of the Constitution to move freely within the territory of India. "For persons with muscular dystrophy, access to a wheelchair that is comfortable and convenient for them is an essential prerequisite for them to exercise the aforesaid fundamental right," the order stated....