Exam center close to home: High Court quashed order of Commissioner for persons with disabilities

KOCHI: The High Court quashed the order of the State Commissioner for Persons With Disabilities that the PSC should allow differently-abled persons to write examinations at centers near their homes. Justice Shaji P Chali's action is on a petition filed by PSC. The single bench held that while the Commissioner for Persons With Disabilities has the power of a civil court to summon witnesses and examine the evidence, he has no independent power to decide the complaints. However, the High Court has also stated that there is no restriction on giving recommendations to the government and PSC in this regard.

NA Anseer, a resident of Kodungallur Kandamkulam and a differently abled, had submitted an application to the government to allow him an examination center near his home and had forwarded it to the commissioner. Subsequently, on 8th August 2017, the Commissioner gave this instruction to the PSC. It was also clarified that the answer was by using the authority of the civil court. The single bench upheld the PSC's contention that the order was outside the purview of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.