Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 20: Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Hasnain Massodi today issued various directions and disposed of Public Interest Litigation filed by National Federation of Blind seeking implementation of Disability Act, 1998.
After hearing Senior Advocate PS Dutta for the PIL whereas Senior AAG Gagan Basotra for the State, the DB referred a judgment of State High Court dated March 30, 2009 whereby the then Division Bench issued various directions regarding the identification of posts which can be reserved for persons with disabilities.
“In the latest status report filed by the SSRB dated November 6, 2013 it has been stated that 70 posts of teachers from various districts under handicapped category have been advertised on the requisition received from the Education Department. The Board has conducted the interviews and is in the process of finalizing the select list”, the DB observed.
“On account of complaints with regard to genuineness of certificates concerning handicapped category of the applicants, the matter is under process and individual petitions have also been filed. The select lists in respect of Jammu and Doda districts have been published on receipt of verification of medical certificates and in respect of other districts it is to be published as and when the Board is satisfied with regard to genuineness of the medical certificates”, the DB said.
“Various category of posts have now been identified by the Government vide its Order No. 108-SW of 2013 dated 01.04.2013. Therefore, the basic object of this Public Interest Litigation has been achieved”, the DB said, adding “if the respondent-State does not review the list in accordance with the provisions of Section 22 of the Act at regular periodicals, then any public spirited person may again approach the Court for issuance of appropriate directions”.
Accordingly, proceedings in the instant PIL were closed.
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