Team Herald
MARGAO: In a shocking display of insensitivity, South Goa Member of Parliament Francisco Sardinha made a beneficiary with physical disability return home for arriving 10 minutes late to an event where he was supposed to be presented with a three-wheeler bike procured under the MP’s fund.
The differently abled man had travelled all the way from Assolna to Margao to collect the three-wheeler bike, but had to leave without it.
His humiliation however did not end there, he was asked to sit on the modified bike for photographs, knowing he would not get to ride it home.
Sardinha had organised a short programme to distribute the three-wheeler bikes to beneficiaries who were persons with disabilities; and was angered with the man who reached 10 minutes late. The man, who came with his wife and daughter, explained that they were late due to unavoidable reasons, and waited for the three other beneficiaries to be presented with their bikes. However, when his turn came, the MP refused to present the bike, and asked the man to come to a similar event in Curtorim next Sunday and instructed him to be on time.
Even as other people who attended the programme were seen crestfallen at the turn of events, and the family of the jilted beneficiary stood in a corner, dejected, the MP seemed oblivious as he spoke about the various schemes implemented by the State and Central government to reduce the suffering of persons with disabilities.