Telangana IAS Officer Smita Sabharwal's Disability Quota Remark Stirs Up Hornet's Nest

Amid controversy over the selection of probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar under disability criteria, a senior bureaucrat has questioned the necessity of quotas for the specially-abled in civil services.

Smita Sabharwal, member-secretary of the Telangana Finance Commission, expressed doubts about the suitability of individuals with disabilities for such roles.

She stated, "With all due respect to the Differently Abled. Does an Airline hire a pilot with disability? Or would you trust a surgeon with a disability. The nature of the #AIS (IAS/IPS/IFoS) is field-work, long taxing hours, listening first hand to people's grievances-which requires physical fitness. Why does this premier service need this Quota in the first place!"

As this debate is blowing up-

With all due respect to the Differently Abled. 🫡
Does an Airline hire a pilot with disability? Or would you trust a surgeon with a disability.

The nature of the #AIS ( IAS/IPS/IFoS) is field-work, long taxing hours, listening first hand to…

— Smita Sabharwal (@SmitaSabharwal) July 21, 2024

Sabharwal's post received sharp criticism. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi labeled it as "pathetic and exclusionary," noting, "Interesting to see how bureaucrats are showing their limited thoughts and their privilege too."

This is such a pathetic and exclusionary view to have. Interesting to see how bureaucrats are showing their limited thoughts and their privilege too https://t.co/n2seGiI0qP

— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) July 21, 2024

She added, "I haven't seen bureaucrats criticising the misuse of the quota such as EWS/Non creamy layer or Disabilities and getting into the system but rather about doing away with a reservation that promotes diversity and inclusion."

Senior Supreme Court Advocate Karuna Nandy also responded, saying, "Amazed that an IAS officer would be so fundamentally ignorant about disability. Most disabilities have no impact on stamina. Or intelligence. But this tweet shows enlightenment and diversity are badly needed."

Amazed that an IAS officer would be so fundamentally ignorant about disability. Most disabilities have no impact on stamina. Or intelligence. But this tweet shows enlightenment and diversity are badly needed. https://t.co/DXa0mVU3GU

— Karuna Nundy (@karunanundy) July 21, 2024

To this, Sabharwal responded by saying, "Madam I am fundamentally aware of the needs of the job. The issue here is about the suitability for a ground job. Also I firmly believe other Services within the Govt such as desk/think-tank nature is well suited.
Please don't jump to conclusions. Legal framework is for overall protection of the rights of equality. No debate there."

Amazed that an IAS officer would be so fundamentally ignorant about disability. Most disabilities have no impact on stamina. Or intelligence. But this tweet shows enlightenment and diversity are badly needed. https://t.co/DXa0mVU3GU

— Karuna Nundy (@karunanundy) July 21, 2024

Arvind Gupta, trustee of NCPEDP, highlighted the contributions of people with disabilities, stating, "As a trustee of @ncpedp_india, we see thousands of innovative outcomes by people with disabilities, which is inspirational in many ways. NCPEDP was instrumental in getting disabled people in UPSC & we see them struggling daily due to lack of awareness. If given a universal ecosystem, persons with disabilities can contribute to the mainstream society on an equal basis. It's time we educate ourselves rather than excluding 20 Crore Indians from contributing to a better India."

Puja Khedkar, the 2023-batch trainee IAS officer, recently made headlines when Pune collector Suhas Diwase raised concerns about her eligibility, leading to a probe by a panel formed by the Centre and the suspension of her two-year training.