Ensure reservation for handicapped in DU: Delhi HC

New Delhi, July 24 (UNI) The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi University to ensure three per cent seats for physically challenged students in all its courses.

Justice Badr Durezz Ahmed, while dismissing the petition of a student, Dr Poonam Dahiya, who did not get admission in Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) as no reservation for handicaps is available in the course, yesterday directed the college to ensure availability of seats from next year.

The Judge observed that the University had not followed section 39 of the Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation (EOPR) Act, 1995 which states that every institution which is getting government grant will ensure three per cent seats to handicap students.

Dr Poonam contented that she had applied in FMS' Health Care MBA programme in the Delhi University. But since there was no column for reservation of handicapped students as in case of SC/ST, she marked ''ph'' (physically handicapped) against her name.

But when the result was announced, her name was not there as she was treated as an oridinary student which was in violation of the EOPR Act.

Mr Mariarputham from FMS contented that they had only 20 seats in the MBA (Health Care) course and three per cent meant .66 seat which did not amount to even one seat. Therefore, no reservation was declared for the said course.

Since reservation was not announced earlier, no other handicap student applied for the course. Thus, it would be improper to give any seat to Dr Poonam as others have been denied the opportunity to apply, Mr Mariarputham noted.

The court observed that since so much time had lapsed, it was not worthwhile to have admission at a late stage. The court, however, directed the Delhi University colleges, FMS in particular, to ensure seats for physically challenged students.

UNI