PANJIM: Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) has demanded action against officers for sanctioning and disbursing payments for construction of inaccessible buildings in violation of the Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016.
Speaking to reporters, DRAG President Avelino de Sa said, “It is very shocking to note that the newly-constructed cyclone shelters in all talukas and the panchayat Ghars of Reis Magos, Goa Velha and Sodiem-Siolim are not accessible for persons with disabilities and the elderly. This violates the Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016.”
“The newly renovated Kala Academy and Mopa airport too are not accessible. Accessibility for persons with disability does not only mean ramps at the entrance but it includes lifts, accessible toilets, tactile and braille signage and reserved parking, which is missing in all the newly constructed public buildings mentioned above. There has to be accountability of public funds. There is no point of organising Purple Fests if newly constructed buildings are not going to be accessible for persons with disability,” he said.
He pointed out that DRAG has written to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and State Disability Commissioner, demanding an inquiry into the matter and action against the concerned officers for sanctioning and disbursing payments for these new, disabled-unfriendly government buildings.
“We also demand that all public government buildings should take NOC from office of the State Disability Commissioner before sanctioning final payment to the contractor,” he said.
He said DRAG has also written to the Governor regarding the reopening of the Sanjay School Vocational Centre which has been closed since September 2023.
” As many as 110 students with severe intellectual disability have been forced to stay at home since then, and are facing various hyperactivity issues,” he said.
