Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 14: Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice M M Kumar and Justice Mohd Yaqoob Mir has taken serious note of the non-implementation of Disability Act, 1998 and asked the Chief Secretary to ensure compliance of various directions issued in this regard.
“Despite various orders passed in these proceedings the needful has not yet been done and one or other escape route is adopted by pleading that the officers are not aware about the implementation of the Act”, the DB observed, adding “these are only lame excuses as the Act is very simple in its language and intent”.
“Mere identification of the posts would not be sufficient in the absence of total number of posts. Therefore, Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare Department is directed to file additional affidavit to show how many posts, which have been identified, are available”, the DB said, adding “the needful shall now be done within two weeks. He shall also explain as to why such posts have not been sent to the concerned recruiting agencies like PSC and SSRB”
The Division Bench directed Chief Secretary to ensure that the orders are complied with.
These observations were made and directions passed in a Public Interest Litigation filed by National Federation of Blind seeking implementation of Disability Act 1998.
Earlier, Chief Secretary filed his affidavit on the directions of the Court. The Additional Secretary Bashir Ahmed Wani, who was present in the Court, stated that different posts in various departments have been identified and there is no department, which has been exempted from the purview of Section 21 of Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1988.
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