Disabled Delegates Face Parking Discrimination at International Film Festival
The Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) has filed a formal complaint with the North Goa collector regarding the denial of reserved parking spaces for persons with disabilities at venues hosting the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panaji.
DRAG president Avelino De Sa expressed shock and disappointment that despite official notifications designating parking spots for disabled persons at Maquinez Palace and Inox, security guards are preventing their use under instructions from higher authorities.
Official Notification Ignored by Festival Authorities
The North Goa collectorate had officially notified reserved parking spaces for persons with disabilities under the Motor Vehicles Act at both Maquinez Palace and Inox locations. These reservations were established to provide easy accessibility to public buildings as mandated by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.
"We have written to the collector to bring this issue to his notice," stated De Sa. "However, we are shocked to note that persons with disabilities are not allowed to park their vehicles at these notified parking slots, even though they are paid delegates of the 56th IFFI."
The association emphasizes that the parking spots were specifically reserved for persons with disabilities through an official collector's notification. According to DRAG, neither the Entertainment Society of Goa nor any other authority has the power to override this notification without formal cancellation by the collector himself.
Immediate Action Demanded
DRAG has urgently requested the North Goa collector to direct concerned officials to immediately allow delegates with disabilities to use the designated parking slots at both Maquinez Palace and Inox.
This situation is causing significant inconvenience to persons with disabilities attending the prestigious international film festival, many of whom are official delegates who paid for their participation.
De Sa described the incident as "a blatant violation and disregard of orders of the collector" and has requested that authorities be directed not to prevent persons with disabilities from using notified parking slots during any future programs.
The organization has also informed the Goa State Disability Commissioner and SP (Traffic) about the violation, seeking their intervention to resolve the matter promptly and ensure such incidents don't recur during major events in Goa.
