Review Meeting Held on Disability-Related Issues
The Department of Empowerment of SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities, and the Specially Abled (ESOMSA) convened a review meeting today to deliberate on matters concerning Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), with particular focus on the demands raised by the Blind Persons Association.
During the discussions, ESOMSA Director Sumit Khimta highlighted that only the Animal Husbandry and Printing & Stationery Departments have so far issued advertisements to fill backlog vacancies reserved for PwDs. He urged other departments to accelerate the recruitment process to ensure these posts are filled without further delay.
Khimta further informed that the School Education Department has announced the final results for Junior Basic Teacher (JBT) posts reserved for PwDs. Out of 119 posts filled, 50 were allotted to the visually impaired, 49 to those with orthopedic disabilities, 11 to the hearing impaired, 8 to individuals with multiple disabilities, and 1 to an intellectually disabled candidate.
He added that the department has also advertised 94 Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) posts, of which 26 are reserved for the visually impaired, 22 for the hearing impaired, 13 for individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum conditions, and 10 for those with multiple disabilities.
The meeting also discussed the mandatory HIM bus card requirement for free travel in HRTC buses. Khimta stated that special camps had been directed to help PwDs obtain the card. However, the Blind Persons Association opposed the requirement, demanding exemption for PwDs. The matter has already been challenged in the High Court.
Other issues raised included:
- Enhancing the Disability Relief Allowance (DRA) under the Social Security Pension.
- Appointment of an independent State Commissioner for PwDs.
- Implementation of the Sahara Pension Yojana, which has reportedly not been disbursed for the past six months.
- Provision of housing under the Mukhya Mantri Awas Yojana to visually impaired persons without conditions.
- Raising the retirement age of Divyangjan employees from 58 to 60 years.
Shobhu Ram, President of the Blind Persons Association, expressed gratitude for convening the meeting and acknowledged the government’s efforts to initiate recruitment for PwDs. He urged authorities to expedite the process so that backlog vacancies are filled promptly.
The meeting was attended by Controller (Printing & Stationery) Prabha Rajiv, senior officials from various departments, and representatives of associations for the blind and specially abled.
