PANAJI: The Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) delegation, led by president Avelino de Sa, met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and sought urgent action on 10 long-pending demands concerning persons with disabilities. Chief Minister assured the delegation that their grievances would be addressed at the earliest.
In an official letter, President de Sa highlighted the demands that included increasing the monthly pension under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme, filling the backlog of vacancies reserved for persons with disabilities, implementing job reservations for persons with intellectual disabilities and autism, regularising special educators and restarting the Sanjay School Porvorim Vocational Centre.
President de Sa also sought representation for persons with disabilities in panchayats, municipal bodies and corporations, a State Policy for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, appointment of a nodal officer in the Chief Minister’s office and additional staff for the Directorate of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
The delegation also raised concerns over the inaccessibility of the new Mantralaya building, demanding immediate corrective measures to ensure persons with disabilities can access the government premises independently.
President de Sa said the demands have remained pending for several years and urged the government to take concrete steps to ensure the rights, accessibility and empowerment of persons with disabilities in Goa.
