Bhubaneswar: The Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) has asked all Departments to identify posts to be reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBDs).
SSEPD Principal Secretary Bishnupada Sethi has written a letter to all the Departments in this matter very recently.
In the letter, Shri Sethi said the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act of 2016 came into force on December 28, 2016 replacing the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act of 1995.
As per Section-34 of RPwD Act, and Resolution issued by the SSEPD Department in 2021, 14 Benchmark Disabilities have been grouped under four different categories out of 21 Specified Disabilities as mentioned in RPwD Act, 2016 to be given reservation and other concessions in various posts and services under State Government/PSUs in base level posts to be recruited through direct recruitment, he said.
The Principal Secretary SSEPD said identification of posts for reservation of PwBD in various posts and services in different establishment/cadre under State Government, PSUs and other institutions has been mandated in accordance with the provisions of section 34 of RPwD Act, 2016.
Further, he said, identification of the posts for different categories of disabilities has to be done by the Administrative Department in consultation with this Department (the nodal Department for PwD).
“Due to delay in identification of Posts by respective Administrative Department, difficulties are being experienced while earmarking vacancies for PwBD Candidates in each recruitment. Without identification of posts, vacancies cannot be earmarked for PwD candidates as per Act and Resolution, for which the very purpose is defeated,” Shri Sethi pointed out.
Keeping the above facts in mind, the Principal Secretary SSEPD has requested all the Departments to furnish the information in the prescribed format in order to enable the SSEPD Department to prepare a draft Resolution on identification of Posts as mentioned in the Act.