The Central Government’s failure to fill the top posts of the three statutory institutions — Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities, the Rehabilitation Council of India, and Board of National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities—has come under the scanner of the Delhi High Court.
Taking cognizance in the matter, the Court has issued a notice to the Government asking it to file a specific affidavit relating to the grievance within a week indicating the dates “since when these posts have been lying vacant; steps taken by it to fill up these vacancies, if any; and, in case, the steps have not been taken, the reasons thereof; and what steps are proposed to be taken and in how much time, to fill up these posts”.
On behalf of the petitioners, advocate AK Bhardwaj had submitted to the court that the three statutory bodies were being given step-motherly treatment and that they were headless for years, thus affecting the welfare activities enshrined under these bodies for the persons with disabilities.
The court was informed that the Government had failed to fill the posts of the Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities, the Chairperson of the Rehabilitation Council of India, and the Chairperson to the Board of National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation & Multiple Disabilities. These appointments have to be made by the central Government.
The court, in its order issued on April 20, 2022, also expressed shock at the Government’s apathy to fill the post. “We fail to appreciate as to why these statutory posts are not been filled up in time to enable the functioning of the statutory bodies and offices, who are expected to discharge their duties under the beneficial legislations,” said Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla in the order. The matter has been posted for May 11, 2022.
Muralidharan, Secretary, National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled welcomed the development saying, “These three important offices have been without full time heads for a long time. Bureaucrats are being deputed to these posts, striking at the independence and autonomy of these institutions, created under Acts of Parliament.”
"This only shows the utter disregard with which the disabled and their issues are being treated by this government, thoroughly exposing the difference between the tall claims made by the government and the reality,” he said.