Team Herald
PANJIM: As a result of continuous follow-up with the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) officials by the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, a few shops at KTCL bus stands across the State have now been reserved for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
Section 37(c) of the RPwD Act, 2016 mandates five per cent reservation in allotment of land on concessional rate where such land is to be used for the purpose of promoting housing, business, enterprise, recreation centres and production centres.
“Unemployment is one of the biggest concerns of people with disabilities today. As a result, some PwDs filed a complaint with the Commission regarding the fact that PwDs should also be able to operate shops at the local KTCL bus stands,” said Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for PwDs.
After taking note of the complaints of the PwDs, Pawaskar followed up with KTCL Chairman and MLA Ulhas Tuenkar and General Manager Sanjay Ghate. His efforts finally bore fruits and KTCL bus stands now have some shops reserved for PwDs.
Shops at KTCL bus stands have been reserved for PwDs at Pernem, Marcel, Honda, Assonora, Panjim, Cuncolim, Canacona and Shiroda. In this regard, the KTCL has invited sealed tenders for providing the shops on a ‘rental basis’ by noon of December 13. It is open to people with visual impairments, low vision, hearing impairments and physical disabilities.
Thanking the KTCL management, the State Commissioner for PwDs said that by making this decision, the KTCL has provided many people with disabilities with a significant opportunity to become financially independent.
Pawaskar urged PWDs to take advantage of this opportunity to the fullest extent possible.
More information in this regard is available on the website www.ktclgoa.com and the tender form is available at the bus stand in-charge office at the above mentioned bus stands, he informed.
