Visually Impaired Candidate Not Allowed to Use Scribe in Odisha Staff Selection Commission

Visually Impaired Candidate Not Allowed to Use Scribe

Rajnish Kumar Arya

Berhampur: Peeved at the manner in which the Centre Superintendent and Odisha Staff Selection Commission Representative do not allowed the Visually Impaired Candidate to use scribe to take part in the examination held for the post of the Junior Assistant organised by Odisha Staff Selection Commission, activist are demanding to arrange a separate examination to him.

The incident took place on 2^nd Feb., when Mr. Sisir Kr. Mohapatro, a Visually Impaired candidate accompanied with scribe went the St. Vincent Convent School, Berhampur mentioned centre in his admission letter.

As he entered into the examination hall, the invigilator asked him to show the order to use the scribe in the examination. The Centre Superintendent arrived and took him in the control office of the centre in front of the representative of Odisha Staff Selection Commission. There he had told that you are not allowed to use the scribe as per the rule of the commission.

Shushant Kr. Sahu, Berhampur based a Differently Abled Right Activist told that in many reports Government usually mentioned that due to non- availability of suitable candidate the Visually Impaired Category, seats remain vacant. When Government authorities will not follow the provision how it will be fulfilled.

Sisri Kr. Mohapatro, sufferer, has shown his application form, which clearly shows that he had applied under the physically challenged category (Blind) and deserve for scribe as per the provision. He is planning to file a writ in the Court of Commissioner, Persons with Disabilities Bhubaneswar or even in High Court for the violation of his right.

Mr. Rajnish Kumar Arya, Assistant Professor has told that it is a matter of surprise that event after enactment of 17 years of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection Of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 the differently abled are unable to avail their rights due to negligence of the Government. As per the PWD Act 1995, Chapter VI, Clause 33 the Blind and Low Vision people deserve 1% reservation in every suitable post which usually notified time to time.  Here in this case post Junior Assistant lies under Grade – C, which is suitable for him.

Mr. Ranjan Kumar Biswal, General Secretary, Milton Charitable Foundation for the Visually Handicapped Berhampur told that Department of Disability Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India had already issued a letter as well as an Office Memorandum   F. No. 16-110/2003-DD.III dated 26^th Feb. 2013 specifically for “Guidelines for conducting written examination for Persons with Disabilities”, which is marked to the Principal Secretary/ Secretary, Social Welfare of States/UTs. In it, under point III and IV, it is clearly mentioned that the facility of scribe should be allowed to any person who has disability of 40% or more if so desired by the person. In this case he should be allowed to use the scribe and extra time too. He has also mentioned that organisation is going to serve legal notice to the concern authorities in this regard.