PANAJI
The Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) has demanded that the monthly DSS pension for persons with disability should be increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 per month. DRAG also appealed for an increase in budgetary allocation for aids and appliances and skill development for persons with disability (PwD).
Speaking in a press conference, DRAG president Avelino de Sa pointed out the inaction of Shiroda Panchayat and BDO officials on illegal construction, land grab and other shortcomings of the panchayat.
Avelino de Sa announced the names of the panchayat members who were involved in illegalities. Alleging that Nicolau Rodrigues and Gaspar Rodrigues sought permission from Shiroda panchayat for house repairs worth Rs 99,000, Avelino disclosed that instead, an illegal house worth Rs 8 lakh was constructed on the property of a person with a disability, Sylvester Gracias without any permission from panchayat or TCP and that the panchayat has not taken any action on the same despite repeated complaints over the last one year.
“Land measuring 450 sq metres belonging to a person with a disability was also grabbed by the Panchayat,” alleged DRAG president.
He further alleged, “The BDO officials have also connived with the panchayat to undervalue the illegal construction. They have committed fraud on the panchayat as the construction licence fees and house tax is dependent on the value of the house.”
DRAG has written to the Director of the Panchayat demanding suspension of the Shiroda panchayat secretary and BDO officials for their inaction on the illegal construction, land grab and fraud in the panchayat. The association also demanded the demolition of the illegal construction. “We will also take up the matter with the land grab SIT formed by the government,” announced the DRAG president.
