VASCO
After a three-year legal battle, a differently-abled man from Velsao finally got back the motorable access to his house on Friday afternoon.
Domingoes Goes, who had approached the courts and the disabled commissioner, finally got an order executed through the Mormugao Dy Collector’s office and laterite stones blocking the pathway to his house were cleared under police protection.
Sources said the laterite stones were placed on the pathway allegedly by a neighbour whose compound wall was demolished by the CRZ authorities earlier.
Mormugao Dy Collector Bhagwant Karmali and Mamlatdar Ranjeet Salgaonkar were present on the site as labours cleared the laterite stones.
Speaking to media, Mormugao Dy Collector Bhagwant Karmali said that State Commission for Disability had passed an order in April and works had been executed on Friday.
Goes thanked various authorities who helped him gain back the access to his house.
“I used to drive a rickshaw despite being disabled and earn a livelihood but three years ago, my access was blocked and I had to scrap my rickshaw. I further lost my livelihood and had to force my wife to start working to take care of the family,” said Goes.
“I now plan to start my business again and will take steps to buy a new rickshaw and earn my livelihood,” said Goes.
Avelino D’Sa of the Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRA), who was present at the site, said a neighbour had allegedly blocked the traditional access belonging to a person with disability.
“Some three years back we had got the road cleared under CRZ but the neighbour put stones on the pathway. Goes later approached the Mormugao Dy Collector and the State Disability Commissioner who have now given orders to clear the access of Goes,” said DSa.
Prakash Kamat of the Goa State Advisory Board on Disability said justice may have been delayed but not denied to Goes.
“Goes struggled for three years and lost his livelihood after his access was blocked by an insensitive and irresponsible neighbour,” said Kamat.
Special educator and disability activist Liby Mendonca was happy that the traditional access to the house of Goes had been cleared after a long fight for three years.
