Chennai: Beno Zephine, the first 100 per cent visually disabled person to make it into the IFS, brought a lot of cheer.
Reports have now emerged about a 70 per cent visually challenged lawyer from Chennai approaching the Supreme Court after being rejected for the post of a magistrate despite his successful selection.
A Central legislation guarantees employment at both Central and state levels and yet it is a never ending struggle for the disabled to secure government jobs.
In Tamil Nadu, it is estimated there are 11.76 lakh people with various kinds of disability, as per the 2011 census. Of these, 7.9 lakh are in the age group of 15-59, considered productive years. While employment with private sector hinges on a lot of probabilities, the 3 per cent reservation of government jobs a stipulated under the Persons with Disability Act, enacted in 1995, was considered to be a harbinger of hope for many a disabled.
Speaking to DC, Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of all types of Differently Abled and Care givers (TARATDAC) secretary S. Namburajan claimed less than 3,000 persons with disability are employed in the government offices
“We are forced to approach the courts whenever one of us is deprived of an employment, despite possessing outstanding credentials. The apathy with which we are treated only leads us to protest, thereby bringing our plight to the attention of public,” said Namburajan.
There must be a penal provision in the law to act against those who deny employment to deserving candidates, he said.
“Currently, there are over 1 lakh educated disabled persons, who have registered at special employment cells in employment offices across the state. But opportunities are seldom provided to them,” said G. Chidambaranathan, president, TN Handicapped Federation Charitable Trust.
