NT Reporter
Panaji
The Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) has called for a statewide survey to ensure that all clinics, particularly in villages, are registered with competent authorities to prevent exploitation of uneducated and vulnerable residents.
It has also demanded action against Loliem panchayat officials for allegedly allowing a fake doctor to operate a clinic for three years without valid permissions, in violation of the Clinical Establishments Act.
In a letter to the South Goa Collector and the Health Secretary, DRAG president Avelino de Sa said that the panchayat permitted the clinic to function without mandatory registration, enabling exploitation of persons with disabilities, which it said is an offence under Section 6 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. The association has sought immediate action against the panchayat authorities.
DRAG said the Directorate of Social Welfare is not implementing any scheme for rehabilitation of persons with mental illness in the past 10 years under the Act. It alleged that a grant of Rs 50 lakh was sanctioned as an advance to an NGO for rehabilitation work based on directions from the CM, without a formal scheme in place. The issue surfaced during proceedings before the Goa Human Rights Commission.
DRAG said public funds are being sanctioned without a structured policy and sought accountability.
The association also submitted five recommendations for the state Budget, including increasing DSS pensions, enhanced assistance for high-support needs, reserving 3 per cent of departmental budgets for disability empowerment, and incentives for employment and self-employment of persons with disabilities.
