A high-level delegation from Goa participated in the 3-day Chintan Shivir held in Chandigarh from April 24 to 26, 2026. The Shivir was organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment with a focused agenda to review and strengthen policies and implementation mechanisms for the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) across States and Union Territories.
The high-level delegation included Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Prasanna Acharya, IAS, Secretary, Varsha Naik Director, Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD),and Dr.Mrisilda Monteiro, Deputy Director who actively contributed to the deliberations and knowledge-sharing sessions during the Shivir.
The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Virendra Kumar also congratulated and appreciated the efforts of the Goa Government in fostering an inclusive and equitable society.
The primary objective of the Chintan Shivir was to undertake a focused “Manthan” to identify policy and implementation gaps, strengthen Centre-State coordination, ensure saturation of benefits to eligible beneficiaries, improve last-mile delivery, and enhance the overall effectiveness and impact of welfare interventions for Divyangjan.
Pawaskar said, “The Chintan Shivir provided a valuable platform for meaningful dialogue and collaborative learning among States. The focused discussions on the RPwD Act, 2016 have enabled us to identify key areas for strengthening implementation, improving last-mile delivery and ensuring that the benefits of various schemes effectively reach every eligible beneficiary. Goa will leverage these insights to further strengthen its initiatives and create a more accessible, inclusive and empowered ecosystem for persons with disabilities. Our focus in Goa is not just on policy implementation but on real impact. The learnings from the Chintan Shivir will help us further streamline our efforts in education, employment, accessibility, and social security for persons with disabilities.”
Key discussions during the Shivir centred around the effective implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, which marks a significant shift towards a rights-based framework. States were encouraged to present updates and deliberate on critical areas including the notification of State-specific RPwD Rules, operationalisation of State Funds, inclusive education initiatives, reservation in higher education and employment, skill development programmes and access to livelihood opportunities.
The Shivir also reviewed progress on early intervention measures such as the establishment of District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs), implementation of social security schemes including disability pensions, and support systems for persons with high support needs.
Emphasis was placed on strengthening grievance redressal mechanisms, including the role of State Commissioners, and the designation of Special Courts for timely resolution of cases. Further, discussions highlighted advancements under the Accessible India Campaign, focusing on both physical infrastructure and digital accessibility, along with the sharing of innovative models and best practices that can be replicated across States.
Goa’s participation in the Chintan Shivir reflects the State’s continued commitment towards strengthening inclusive governance, ensuring equitable access to opportunities, and enhancing the quality of life for Persons with Disabilities through robust policy implementation and collaborative efforts.
In line with the insights gained at the Chintan Shivir, the Government of Goa will further strengthen its ongoing efforts to ensure effective implementation of the RPwD Act, 2016, with a renewed focus on inclusive education, employment opportunities, accessibility, and social security for persons with disabilities.
The State remains committed to enhancing last-mile delivery, streamlining grievance redressal mechanisms, and adopting innovative, Goa-centric models to ensure that every eligible beneficiary is reached. Building on its collaborative approach, Goa will continue to work closely with the Government of India and key stakeholders to create a more inclusive, accessible, and empowered ecosystem for Divyangjan across the State.
