Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Look Into The Problems Being Faced By The Candidates Who Had Qualified ... on 7 December, 2006
an> Title: Need to look into the problems being faced by the candidates who had qualified Civil Services Examination under the disabilities quota.
SHRI L. RAJAGOPAL (VIJAYAWADA) : Sir, I would like to raise a very important matter. … (Interruptions)
An instance of discrimination came to light. Shri Mani Ram Sharma, a successful civil service candidate, was denied the IAS cadre for the second time. The reason given is that he is completely deaf; hence, he cannot apply for the IAS. But his contention is that he can function just as well as any other hearing impaired person. He was also qualified in the Civil Services Exam in 2004 and ranked 227. It qualified him for a place in the Indian Revenue Service. But, as a disabled candidate, he was eligible for the IAS. He was not given IAS in 2004 saying that he was not eligible. Last year, in 2005, he cleared the Civil Services examination again. This time he ranked 378 and under the disabilities quota, he still qualifies for the IAS. This time also he was denied IAS. But instead, he got the Indian Post and Telegraph Accounts Service because of his hearing impairment. But, surprisingly, a person eight ranks lower than him has been given the IAS. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: It is a very important issue. The hon. Members have no patience to listen to him.
… (Interruptions)
अध्यक्ष महोदय: +ÉÉìxÉ®ä¤ÉãÉ àÉèà¤É® ÉÊbºÉAä¤Éãb ãÉÉäMÉÉå BÉEä ¤ÉÉ®ä àÉå ¤ÉÉiÉ BÉEc ®cä cé* +ÉÉ{É =xÉBÉEÉÒ ¤ÉÉiÉ ºÉÖxÉå* SHRI L. RAJAGOPAL : The second example is that of Shri Sridhar from Tamil Nadu who has two arms but no legs. He got 400th rank in 2005 Civil Services Examination. Going by his rank and disability quota, he should get Indian Telecom Services. But he was not selected on the basis of functional classification. Functional classification is essentially the disability level permissible for a Service. In Sridhar’s case, the functional level prescribed for the service he applied for is one arm and one leg. That is to say, if you have an arm and a leg, you are eligible for ITS cadre. This is the rule. But there is no logic behind this. … (Interruptions)
Sir, in the disabled quota of each Service, there are different specifications in the functional classification. For instance, in IAS, the functional classification for locomotor disability is both arms, one leg, one arm, both legs, etc., meaning the service is open for people without both arms or with both arms affected, without one leg or arm or people suffering from muscular weakness. So, how a person who cannot use either arm is more eligible for IAS than a person without the use of both legs seems beyond immediate comprehension. At the same time, it is also beyond one’s imagination how a person who has no legs, but can use both arms is less eligible for Group `A’ Accounts Service than for the far lesser Service. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: These are disabled people. You see as to how they are victimized.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You have made your point. Please sit down.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI L. RAJAGOPAL : So, I request the Government to immediately standardize the functional classification which prescribes the disability level of a candidate opted for any cadre.
MR. SPEAKER: I am sure that this is matter the Government will take note of very seriously. It is a question of disabled persons.[a20]