NT Reporter
Panaji
President of Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) Avelino D’Saon Wednesday said that the High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Goa Staff Selection Commission, the Goa Human Resources Development Corporation and the Environment Department to file replies in a case concerning non-implementation of reservation for persons with disabilities (PwDs) in government jobs.
“The Staff Selection Commission had advertised 722 posts a few months ago without providing the 4% reservation. Over the past two years, the Human Resources Development Corporation advertised around 1,600 posts without reserving positions for PwDs,” D’Sa told reporters at a press briefing.
A petition was filed before the High Court over the alleged failure of the departments to implement the mandatory 4% reservation under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
“Nearly 2,500 posts were advertised without reservation and that, as per legal provisions, around 96 to 100 posts that should have been allocated to persons with disabilities were not reserved,” said D’Sa, adding that while the law mandates 4% reservation, only about 2% of government jobs in Goa are held by PwDs.
Referring to a recent Allahabad High Court direction that provisions of the Disability Act apply to housing societies, he said a representation has been made to the State Disability Commissioner to implement similar rules in Goa for accessible buildings, public spaces
and parking.
“With Census 2027 underway, persons with disabilities should ensure they are counted. This is important for data and policy planning. Despite government claims of a disability survey over the past two years, no progress has been seen,” D’Sa said.
