MP Govt failed to legal rights to physically challenged

Indore, Apr 8 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court's Indore bench has pulled up the state government for failing to provide rights to physically challenged people under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

Hearing a writ petition by Khargone-resident Nilesh Singhal, who is visually challenged, Justice G K Maheshwari recently described not providing adequate reservation to visually impaired and deaf and dumb people in government jobs by the government and the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission as provided by the Act as unconstituitional.

Petitioner's counsel Anil Trivedi told the court that Mr Singhal was not called for interview despite clearing preliminary and mains examinations from 1997 to 2000 because of physical disability.

The petition stated that the government was discriminating against visually challenged and deaf and dumb people.

The court directed the government to take necessary steps to ensure that the provisions of the Act are implemented and reservation provided to physically challenged.

The court observed that the government had failed to discharge its responsibilities under the Article 21 and 38 of the Constitution and deprived physically challenged people of their legal rights.

UNI AA-PS 1737