Margao, July 18:
In a positive move towards accessibility and inclusivity, the Margao Municipal Council has established a help desk on the ground floor of its premises to assist persons with disabilities, eliminating the need for them to climb stairs for official work.
This initiative comes in the wake of ongoing criticism from disability rights groups, particularly Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG), which had earlier expressed disappointment over the inaccessibility of Municipality and Panchayat buildings across Goa.
DRAG had highlighted that despite two consecutive Purple Fest celebrations in the state and directives from the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, many local government buildings remained non-compliant with basic accessibility norms. The association had also called out the state’s failure to ensure even the minimum provision of help desks on the ground floor, an issue they say has remained unresolved for over two years.
Welcoming Margao’s step, DRAG said it hopes this marks the beginning of a larger shift across the state. “This is a good start, and we urge other Municipalities and Panchayats in Goa to follow suit by making their premises accessible to all citizens,” a DRAG spokesperson stated.
The new help desk at the Margao Municipal Council will provide support and information to persons with disabilities, enabling them to complete documentation and avail services without facing architectural barriers.
