Tamil Nadu: Differently Abled Persons Occupy Govt Offices, Demand Reservation in Jobs

Chennai: In a novel protest, around 32,000 differently-abled persons across Tamil Nadu occupied 187 government offices for two days from February 8, demanding jobs in government and private sector organisations, as entitled in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. 

The protest action by the differently abled persons came after years of being denied reservation in jobs, in spite of a Supreme Court order in October 2013 on the filling up of backlog vacancies within a three-month period, and the state government refusing to publish advertisements to fill up vacancies after the Madras High Court ordered the same.

The protest was temporarily withdrawn after talks held with the department of social welfare. However, the Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC) has decided to restart the protest from February 17, if the government fails to keep its promise. 

Differently abled persons are entitled to 4% reservation in the government sector, but have been denied this right for years. Followed by the Supreme Court order in October 2013, a Madras High Court order also instructed the state government to ensure the implementation. But, a long eight years of time seems insufficient for the governments act on the orders. 

S Nambu Rajan, general secretary of TARATDAC, while speaking to NewsClick said: “The state government in 2013, announced that around 1,500 vacancies exist for the differently abled in five different state government departments. But, even now the details of employment are not made public. Such inaction is highly condemnable and the state government should ensure it is not delayed anymore.”

The association claims that vacancies in all state public sector undertakings would be much higher and demanded transparency in such numbers. 

The number of differently abled persons in Tamil Nadu is estimated at 13.35 lakh as per the 2011 Census, of which 1.10 lakh have registered in employment exchanges. They see the denial of job reservation for years together as snatching away of their constitutionally entitled rights. 

RESERVATION IN PRIVATE SECTOR

The 5% reservation in private sector companies, ensured in Section 35 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, is yet to find light. TARATDAC accused the state government of being insensitive and not initiating steps to ensure reservation in the private sector. 

“The state government has failed to initiate any steps to ensure reservation, even after four years of the act coming into force. Without employment, the sufferings of differently-abled persons, many of who are economically backward, are increasing”, Nambu Rajan said.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of several lakhs of differently-abled persons working in the informal sector, whose incomes have shrunk due to the unplanned lockdown, pushinf them and their families further into poverty.

“Considering the adverse economic conditions, the state government must increase monthly aid to the differently abled persons to Rs 3,000. Those with severe disabilities must be paid Rs 5,000 to meet their basic needs. This is the minimum the state government must do, while they continue to delay the implementation of the laws of the land”, Nambu Rajan said.

The organisation also condemned the reduction in the budget allocation for the persons with disabilities. Such reduction will reduce the entitled benefits, the TATARDAC said,

‘WILL RESTART PROTEST FROM FEB 17’

The sit-in protest was withdrawn late on February 9, after talks with the officials of the social welfare department. The representatives of TATARDAC held talks with the secretary, who sought one week's time to hold discussions with the government. 

“The secretary gave us a patient listening on our long-pending demands. One week’s time was sought for taking up the matters to the government, to which we conceded. We have also informed the secretary that the protest will restart on February 17, if our demands are not met”, warned Nambu Rajan.