THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even after 28 years of the introduction of reservation for differently-abled persons in promotions in government service in the country, it has not become a reality in Kerala. Following the legal battles of the differently-abled, an order was issued adding water to the law, but that too was not implemented.

Two years ago, an order was issued restricting the reservation in promotions for differently-abled persons to only those posts that are appointed directly and through promotions. For example, appointments to the post of Panchayat Secretary will be made through promotion and directly through PSC. With the intervention of service organizations, that too was confined to paper.

The petition of the differently-abled employees of Kerala for justice is before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court on this disability day as well.

Kerala had turned a blind eye from 1996 to 2016, when differently-abled had a three per cent reservation. In 2016, the central government expanded the list of differently-abled people and increased the reservation to four per cent. Later, Lisamma Joseph, an employee of the ministerial wing of the Kerala Police, started a legal battle. The Supreme Court ordered her promotion in 2021. The government settled the matter by giving other benefits to Lisamma, who had taken VRS by then. A section of employees started another legal battle in 2020. The government issued an order in 2022 adding water to the act after the verdict was in their favour.

No relief, just worry!

With the reservation to posts where appointments are made directly and through promotion becoming a reality as per the 2022 order, the differently-abled who were expecting temporary relief are baffled. The differently-abled people are once again worried as the order, which does not specify when it will come into effect, is yet to be implemented. The legal battle of the differently-abled is continuing.

The authorities should try to accommodate differently-abled people, not to exclude them. Even the negligence of the authorities in this regard is a crime. Efforts should be made to implement the law for differently-abled persons sincerely.

- S.H. Panchapakesan

Former State Disability Commissioner