MARGAO
A sensitisation cum awareness programme organised by the Margao Municipal Council on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities saw speakers stressing on the rights bestowed on persons with disability under the PWD Act.
In her welcome address, Anuradha Joshi, ex-Commissioner for persons with disability explained the meaning with persons with disability and the rights given to them as per PWD Act 2016.
Explaining the various provisions of the Act, Joshi said the Act provides the Right to Education for special children, saying the Act provides security to the persons with disability with a provision for their upliftment.
Saying the Act cast duties and responsibilities on the government to implement the Act, Joshi said Section 3 of the Act envisages equality and non discrimination, adding that the Act provides four per cent reservation in all jobs.
Pointing out that Chapter 16 gives powers to the State Commissioner to enforce the right, Joshi said the Act does not discriminate between persons, saying that Section 7 gives obligation to government to enforce the rights.
While stressing on the need for barrier free accessibility, the ex-Commissioner stressed on the need for proper infrastructure at work place.
In his address, Margao Municipal Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes appealed to the people to be sensitive to the needs of persons with disabilities. He said the PWD Act should be enforced in letter and spirit. “This programme aimed to create awareness in the community about differently abled people. The programme hopes to positively impact the attitudes and behaviour in the minds of society towards the differently abled people,” he added.
Prakash Kamat advisory member of persons with disability spoke on the occasion. Avelino D’Sa, president of DRAG also spoke about different facilities available to persons with disability.
