the goan I network
PANAJI
In light of citizens not keeping reserved parking slots for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) available for these persons, Initiative for Disability Awareness, Rights and Empowerment (iDARE), a registered NGO on Thursday wrote to the additional collector of North Goa asking him to ensure that these parking slots not be occupied by those not eligible for the same.
The letter, written by the NGO’s secretary Monika Singh has also asked that the term “persons with locomotor disability” be used instead of the outdated and inappropriate “physically challenged” as notified in the Goa Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2017.
Singh in her letter pointed out that the barricading of parking slots reserved for PwDs so that others don’t use them is not appropriate since the barricades prevent even PwDs from parking in these slots. She wrote, “...It is difficult for many such persons to remove the barricade themselves and then park their vehicle,” and cited the example of the barricade in front of the collector’s office and the Department of Social Welfare.
Singh also pointed out that PwDs need to be given stickers/passes to put on their vehicles so that it can be verified that the right/eligible vehicle has been parked. If this is not done, the NGO feels that notifying these slots is practically pointless. The group also asked for the signage saying it is a criminal offence for ineligible people to park here be made larger and more prominent.
A copy of the letter has been sent to the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic H.Q.), Panjim, the Director General of Police, the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, c/o Social Welfare Department, the Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare, the Chief Secretary, and the Commissioner, of the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP).
Meanwhile, iDARE also appreciated that the additional collector had written to the traffic cell on February 12 in this regard.
The NGO was recently formed in a bid to persuade the authorities to pay heed to the difficulties faced by persons with disabilities in day to day life. Last month, the group wrote to the directorate of social welfare and other government officials asking that draft rules of the Right to Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 be framed and notified for Goa, as Goa has not done so more than two years past the deadline.
