State asks for 2 years from Gujarat HC to fill 21K vacancies for differently-abled
Updated: Nov 23rd, 2024
In a PIL seeking 4% reservation for the differently-abled in government and semi-government offices, the state government today informed the Gujarat High Court that a total of 21,114 vacancies for the differently-abled exist across 27 different departments of the government.
The government had sought time from the court, with an undertaking to complete this recruitment within two years. The High Court demanded that the recruitment process for the differently-abled should be completed as soon as possible.
It was submitted in the PIL that, as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the relevant directions of the Supreme Court, there is a clear provision of 4% reservation for the disabled in various government departments, local authorities, and government undertakings.
This includes reservation in categories such as blind and low vision, hearing impaired, locomotor disability, and cerebrovascular palsy. However, the government is not following these legal provisions or the directions of the Supreme Court.
In response, as per the directions of the High Court, an affidavit was submitted by the Chief Secretary of the state government, stating that there are 21,114 vacancies for Divyangjan across various departments, which is double the government’s initial estimate.
However, while presenting the recruitment calendar for filling these vacancies, the government stated that the entire recruitment process may take up to two years, requesting the court to grant a two-year period.
Of the 21,114 vacancies, 9,251 are for individuals with low vision or blindness, 4,985 are for the hearing impaired, 1,085 are for those with locomotor disabilities, and 5,000 are for persons suffering from other disabilities.
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