VASCO
The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) is one of the busiest municipalities in the State, but not all people are able to access various sections in the municipal council.
With a ramp available at only one of four access points to the municipal building and with many offices located on the first floor which does not have a lift, all offices in the municipal council are virtually off limits to the disabled in the port town.
A number of sections, where major utility bills and taxes are paid are located on the first floor and there is no lift leading to the first floor of the MMC building.
The upper floor also has counters for inward of letters to the chief officer and chairperson for permissions and also houses the technical section of the MMC, which is frequented by many people from in and around Vasco. The Janata Vachanalaya library is also housed on the upper floor, but none of these sections are accessible to the disabled.
What has, however, come as some relief to the disabled is that the other government offices not associated with the MMC are all located on the ground floor of the building.
However, but the disabled still have to overcome some steps to two of the three access points which lead to the offices of the health and civil supplies departments (north), BSNL office and the talathi and mamlatdar offices (east).
The only office which has a ramp for the disable leads to the offices of the deputy collector and excise department (south).
The absence of ramps and lifts for the disabled has caused concern among many people visiting the MMC building on a daily basis.
"There is no lift nor does this place have a ramp for the disabled. I personally know of a disabled neighbour who faced great difficulty when called to sign some documents and collect his trade licence," said a person on condition of anoyminity.
Admitting the problem, MMC Deputy Chairperson Shashikant Parab said the council would soon take measures to create access for the disabled.
"The building has four access points while a ramp for disabled is available on only one side of the building. We should follow guidelines of the court and get these offices disabled-friendly."
"The council will have a meeting with the chief officer soon and will try an adopt a resolution in this regard," said Parab.
Vasco-based lawyer Ashok Naik said that every public office and school should have proper access to the disabled, as per supreme court guidelines.
"However, since the building is a heritage structure and needs to retain its identity, the MMC can think of a lift and a ramp for disabled in the building. All access points in the building need to be disabled-friendly," said Naik.
