KPSC continues to deny jobs to the disabled, Social Justice minister to intervene

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Four months lapsed since the file relating to the Supreme Court (SC) directive on appointment of disabled candidates remains pending for remarks with Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC). If the file is justly processed by KPSC and if the state issues an order, then the Physically Handicapped (PH) candidates who made it to the rank list of KPSC two years back for various posts will be considered for posting.
Though KPSC held its Rules Subcommittee meet on July 12, the PH file relating to SC directive was not taken up.When the PH candidates had contacted the KPSC officials they were passing the buck as the chairman had told them that he is waiting to hear from the sub-committee while the Rules section officials indicate that they have not received the instruction from chairman to include PH file at the subcommittee meet
Despite the callous attitude of the officials, the PH candidates for various posts including deputy collectors are still hopeful that that KPSC will process the PH file and would consider all PH appointments backlog due since Jan 1, 1996 based on the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act and follow the SC order in appointment of PH candidates based on the roster 1, 34, 67. It means that the first post be reserved for the PH category and then 34th and 67th. This is despite the High Court and Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) Ruling in favour of the candidates.
Meanwhile, a PH candidate who had approached KAT for justice as KPSC had not considered his posting despite making it the rank list of sales tax officer post. KPSC did not file a counter at KAT till the rank list time period got expired. The PH candidates allege that KPSC is playing such gimmicks to deny jobs for the deserving candidates. So the PH candidate approached the SC and got an interim order asking PSC to reserve one post of sales tax officer for him until the case gets judged. Final hearing on the case in the Supreme Court is on July 20.
When contacted, KPSC secretary Saju George said he is not a member of the Sub-Committee and had sought to contact the chairman. KPSC chairman Dr KS Radhakrishnan said, he was busy in a meeting and later too had not responded to calls.
Social Justice Minister KK Shailaja told TOI that she will look into it and assured to examine that KPSC fills up the appointment of PH candidates based on the backlog vacancies.