Retired Superintendent of police, Tony Fernandes struggling to walk down the stairs at the Osia Commercial complex, Old Margao, Margao. Pic Santosh Mirajkar.
Superintendent of Police, (Retd) Tony Fernandes on Monday demanded that the government shift all the government offices housed in the Osia Commercial complex at Old market if it cannot provide basic amenities, including a dedicated lift service, to the public.
The 63-year old retired Police officer had visited the Osia Commercial complex since he had some work in the Town and Country Planning office housed in the building. Realisation, however, dawned on the retired SP that the lift was out of order due to some electric fault.
Left with no option, the senior citizen, like many other citizens was forced to climb the stairs to reach the building’s fourth floor.
He later told the media that the departments functioning from the private building should make provision for a lift for people to visit the offices. “That the lift is non-functional due to an electrical fault after the week-long rains is no excuse for the authorities to rectify the fault”, he said.
He added; “Just imagine the trouble and hardships senior citizens will have to undergo if the lift is not in working condition. Since the government departments are functioning from the commercial capital, the government should either provide a dedicated lift or shift the offices to the government buildings”.
