Disabled civil engineer denied Karnataka government job

 Arvinda MS, 25, suffering with scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine) and dwarfism since birth, had no difficulty passing MTech with distinction. But the young man is facing problems in landing a government job as the authorities have not only omitted his condition in a notification, but are also ignoring a June 2018 order from the state commissioner for disabilities directing the water resources department to issue him an appointment letter.

The civil engineer had moved the commissioner, questioning the exclusion of scoliosis, dwarfism and those handicapped in one leg and one hand from the disabilities entitled for reservation in a 2017 job notification issued by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) for recruitment of engineers in the water resources department.

He had written to KPSC on August 29, 2017 pointing out the omission of certain disabilities in the notification, but received no reply. The written exams for recruitment were held on September 10, 2017. He wrote to the department on September 18, stating he didn’t get a chance to apply. Again, there was no reply to his letter. “The state government denied me my rights and opportunities. That’s why I took up the case with the commissioner of disabilities,” Arvind said.

Arvind was one year old when he was diagnosed with scoliosis. Battling all odds, he cleared his BE and MTech from a reputed engineering college in Bengaluru. Categorised as 60% disabled, he is able to walk on his own and do most of his work without help. He is not wheel-chair dependent. On June 4, 2018, the commission ordered Arvind be given a job and an appointment letter be issued to him within three months of the order. “Unfortunately, the department concerned has not complied with the order so far. The next appealing authority is the high court,” said VS Basavaraju, state commissioner of disabilities

However, when TOI contacted the water resources department, a senior official said the recruitment notification was issued as per directives of the women and child welfare department. “We have written to the women and child welfare department seeking clarity on the matter, both before and after issuance of the disability commissioner’s order. We are yet to hear from the department. Ideally, a committee headed by senior officers along with the disability commissioner have to take a call in this regard and we are waiting for the same. We have not received any clarification on whether this candidate can be given a technical job,” the official said. 

Source : TOI , 26 Nov 2018