PANJIM: The Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) president Avelino D’Sa has alleged that the newly built three-storey Reis Magos village panchayat building was not disabled-friendly.
“Three storey Reis Magos Panchayat Ghar is not accessible for persons with disability and elderly as it does not have a lift. How is the Chief Minister and Cabinet Ministers inaugurating such buildings in violation of Disability Act 2016? Where is the commitment of State government towards persons with disability?, he asked.
This is an insult to persons with disability and elderly and waste of public funds. The DRAG has taken serious note of this and appropriate criminal and legal action will be taken, said D’Sa.
Meanwhile in a suo motu case, the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Guruprasad Pawaskar has strongly recommended the State government to undertake a comprehensive structural safety, fire safety, accessibility and emergency evacuation audit plan for all public buildings in the State.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the recent tragic death of a person with disability Sydney Rodrigues, who fell from the second floor of the SCERT building at Porvorim, Pawaskar said that the incident has not only shocked the community but has also raised serious concerns about the safety of government buildings particularly in relation to the well-being of persons with disabilities.
Pawaskar has asked the State authorities to submit compliance report within a period of three months in accordance with Section 81 of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
