ALAPPUZHA: Roopesh became Alappuzha's Deputy Collector by overcoming the hurdles of blindness. The rank holder is now put in front of yet another test. He has been appointed as the District Insurance Officer. Roopesh’s office will be on the third floor of the building, without any lift facility.

A student of KAS batch one, Roopesh, joined service in July 2023 with the first rank in the differently-abled category. The rule prohibits the transfer of differently-abled employees for the first three years. The law also mentions the assurance of easy access to the office for differently-abled employees. Nothing was followed in Roopesh’s case.

Roopesh received departmental praise for his excellent work in the state in clearing revenue recovery arrears last financial year. His former office was in the Collectorate, on the second floor, but with lift facility. Roopesh was also allowed an office assistant. He was made the Deputy Collector in his hometown Alappuzha with the direct intervention of the Chief Minister.

Social activist Chandradas Kesava Pillai filed a complaint with the Chief Minister demanding that the transfer be withdrawn or that he be transferred to another disability-friendly office. The Human Rights Commission has voluntarily intervened in the incident.

Roopesh, son of V K Haridas and Komala of Anjiliparambi, Kuthirapanthi in Alappuzha, was born with a disability. He lost his eyesight completely during tenth grade. It was a disease in which the nerves shrink and die. But Roopesh did not give up. He completed post-graduation, B.Ed. and SET and became a higher secondary teacher. During this time, he chanced upon the KAS notification and passed the written exam.

Roopesh took charge as the District Insurance Officer last week. Since there is no lift, it is very difficult to reach the third floor. The stairs are too narrow that even assistance from office staff prove to be of little help.

As of now, Roopesh’s family members accompany him to the office and help him climb the stairs.