MARGAO
The Ravindra Bhavan and the Director Art and Culture seemed to have come under the lens of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.
For, the State Commissioner Taha Haaziq has sent a reminder to the Director Art and Culture, with a copy to the Member Secretary, Ravindra Bhavan over the failure of the Ravindra Bhavan to submit a compliance report on or before July 10, 2023 on the recommendations to make the cultural institution disabled-friendly.
In fact, Taha Haaziq pointed out that failure to comply with the matter may bring the Director under the scanner under Section 89 of the Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016 without any further notice.
Ravindra Bhavan Member Secretary Agnelo Fernandes had a year ago on July 15, 2022 had written a letter to the PWD Executive Engineer, WDVII drawing attention of the engineer to the suggestions received from the Disabilities Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) to make the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao premises more accessible for the persons with disability with an intention to provide them equal opportunity at the cultural institution.
In fact, the DRAG had made a host of suggestions, including construction of a ramp on the exiting steps proceeding towards the VIP room; handle bar for the existing ramp at the ground floor foyer; ramp along with handle bar on the steps heading towards the main toilet on the ground floor; handle bar along the existing pathway heading to the parking lane to the VIP entrance.
Commenting on the reminder sent by the DRAG, Ravindra Bhavan Member Secretary Agnelo Fernandes said the proposal will help the persons with disabilities since the institution is not accessible to people with disabilities as on date.
