The recent appointment of Dr Miniati Behera as the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities has raised many eyebrows as she reportedly does not meet the eligibility criteria for the post.
Questioning her appointment many organisations and social activists have planned to write to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to know that on what basis Behera was selected for the post. Even some disabled persons have reportedly decided to move to the court of law against the appointment which they termed as “political rehabilitation.”
“There are various types and levels of disabilities. There are also other factors like rehabilitation and education of the disabled. If a person is not aware of such issues and has no experience in handling such issues, how he/she is going to address the problemIJ If the State Government has taken a decision in this regard, I hope, it might have picked the right person, it should have informed us on the qualification and experience on the basis of which the appointment has been made,” well-known social activist Shruti Mohapatra told the media.
“We have decided to write a letter to the Chief Minister to find out the basis of the selection of Behera, how she was appointed, what is her 15-year experience in the field of disability and in what field of disability she has the expertise,” Mohapatra said.
Meanwhile, Odisha Disabled Peoples’ Network coordinator Sanayas Behera slammed the Government for not appointing an expert in the crucial post. “We are now observing the technical part of the appointment procedure and collecting data. We will move to the court soon,” said an activist. The State Government had appointed Behera as the new State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities on April 6 following the retirement of Kasturi Mohapatra.