News

Volume 9 Issue 3 - April 15, 2012

Find alternatives to provide equal opportunities for people with disabilities, says H.P. High Court

D.N.I.S. News Network, India: Appalled at the fact that only 25 percent of the posts reserved for persons with disabilities in Class-I category Government jobs have been filled up, the Himachal Pradesh (H.P.) High Court directed the State Government and the H.P. Public Service Commission to find alternatives to provide equal opportunities to persons with disabilities.

Disposing off an appeal filed by a school teacher with physical impairment who failed to be selected in the H.P. Public Service Commission because he “lacked merit”, Justices Kurian Joseph and Dharam Chand Chaudhary said that the existing mode of selection was not in a position to ensure equal opportunity to persons with disabilities.

“In terms of the objectives of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, we are of the view that it is high time that the State thinks of alternate methods of selection. It should also be considered whether such selection should be continued with the H.P. Public Service Commission,” said the Court.

“Even in selection for reserved quota, there cannot be any compromise on standard of merit as prescribed by the appointing authority. Of course, it is certainly open to the appointing authority to prescribe a lesser standard, to achieve the objects of such reservation,” the Court added.