Finally, govt issues order on roster system for the physically handicapped; backlog to be filled from 1996 

Conceding to a long-pending demand, the state government has issued orders to fill the backlog of vacancies for physically handicapped (PH) people from 1996 onwards.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  Conceding to a long-pending demand, the state government has issued orders to fill the backlog of vacancies for physically handicapped (PH) people from 1996 onwards. Significantly, the order enforces the revision of the reservation roster to 1, 34 and 67 from the existing roster points of 33, 66 and 99 in a 100-point block.

‘Express’ had reported the insensitive stand of the government and the Public Service Commission’s reluctance to comply with the Persons With Disabilities (PWD) Act of 1995. In over a dozen articles, ‘Express’ had highlighted the plight of K Madhu, a physically handicapped candidate who figured in the rank list for the post of Deputy Collector.

He was having to run from pillar to post to persuade the government to comply with the Supreme Court order in this regard and a memorandum from the Union Government.

A grab of the report that appeared in ‘Express’ on
May 7


The GO issued the other day stated the government had considered the ruling
on the Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the SC (2009), verdicts in the High Court, KAT and the Central Government’s memorandum to effect the changes.


Madhu - who petitioned the KAT, High Court, Chief Minister, PSC and the Prime Minister, forcing the state government to issue the order - told ‘Express’ the GO was a historic one.


“I may not benefit from the order as it requires the government to report the vacancies to the PSC. But I’m happy the government has finally issued the order. It will help hundreds of hapless PH candidates get government jobs as it has to fill the backlog since 1996.” 


He said the new order will not in any way damage the prospects of first-rank holders in the rank list. Despite repeated efforts by him, the PSC had been sitting over the file for more than 18 months. He had to approach even the Prime Minister to make the state government consider the PH candidates’ plight. 


Following the PMO’s intervention, the state government asked the PSC to give its opinion on the issue as mandated by the PWD Act of 1995. By that time the LDF Government came to power and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took a special interest in solving the issue.

Despite his directive to expedite justice to the PH candidates, the file kept shuttling between the departments of Social Justice, Personnel and Administrative Reforms and Law. Even then, as if with a vengeance, the PSC officials told a meeting convened by the CM there was an SC order directing the first turn of appointment should be given to the first-rank holder. As the PSC failed to reply to the government’s repeated requests to produce the order, the Social Justice Department finally issued the order.

Frustrated over the alleged insensitive approach of the state government in ensuring priority for physically handicapped (PH) people in government jobs, the affected candidates have approached the Union Government seeking justice.
 

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