Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Disability Rights Association of Goa has demanded cancellation of occupancy certificates and trade licences of buildings which are not accessible for persons with disability and the elderly.
In a letter to the Chief Officer Margao Municipal Council DRAG stated “We have seen through media reports that the lifts in the Osia Complex Margao are not functioning for many months as a result of which many persons with disability and the elderly visiting the various government offices are put to various hardships,” said DRAG
DRAG also informed that Section 44(2) of the Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2016 states that no occupancy certificate shall be issued unless the building conforms to the standards laid down under the Act. Hence we demand that the occupancy certificate and trade licence of Osia Complex Margao be revoked with immediate effect till such time as the lifts in the complex are made functioning and easy accessibility as mandated under the Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2016 is provided to persons with disability and the elderly.
A copy of the letter has been marked to the State Disability Commissioner and the South Goa Collector. A similar letter has been made to the Commissioner Corporation of City of Panjim demanding cancellation of occupancy certificate and trade licence granted to Starbucks Coffee Miramar for not providing accessibility to persons with disability and the elderly.
DRAG has also written to the State Disability Commissioner demanding directions to the Institute Menezes Braganza Panjim not to conduct any programmes till their building is made accessible for persons with disability and the elderly.
In a letter to the State Disability Commissioner DRAG stated “We wish to bring to your notice that the Institute Menezes Braganza Panjim conducts many interesting cultural and other programmes including government programmes but the institute hall is not accessible for persons with disabilities and the elderly and in violation of Section 3, 29 and 45 of the Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2016 which mandates equal opportunity non discrimination and easy accessibility for persons with disability as the institute does not have lift facility for persons with disability.”
