18 Feb, 2014 04:29 PM

Preference in transfers & postings, other help for disabled Govt employees

Preferences in transfers, postings and accommodation, reimbursement for assistive devices and special casual leave are some of the proposals being considered by the Central Government as it looks to introduce additional amenities for its disabled employees.

Besides, all ministries and departments, subordinate offices, public sector undertakings, government companies, cantonment boards etc. would also be identifying the types of jobs that may easily be performed by such employees.

The Ministry of Personnel has sent a proposal bearing these guidelines to all ministries and departments and sought their comments on the same.

“A need was felt to provide certain additional facilities or amenities to persons with disabilities to enable them to effectively discharge their duties.

Essential component

“Identification of jobs, post-recruitment and pre- promotion training, assistive devices, free accessibility, preference in transfer or posting, special casual leave, etc. have been identified as areas which require special attention,” it said.

Induction training is an essential component of the service requirement for an employee. Induction training for persons with disabilities should be done together with the other employees. Job-specific post-recruitment and pre- promotion training programmes are required to be organised for persons with disabilities, the guidelines stated.

“A person with disability shall be placed with an experienced employee for at least one month on resuming responsibility of a post.

“This would help him pick up the skills required to perform the job,” it said. According to the guidelines, ministries and departments should provide or reimburse, within a specific timeframe, the cost of special assistive devices in accordance with the prices fixed by them for the same in consultation with the various national institutes working in the area of disability care.

“Government offices should take special steps to provide barrier free and accessible work stations to persons with disabilities along with (better) access... to common utility areas such as toilets, canteens, etc.,” the guidelines state.

The Directorate of Estates may give preference to persons with disabilities to provide them with suitable accommodation near their place of posting.

“Existing housing facilities could be renovated to make them conveniently accessible to persons with disabilities,” said the draft guidelines sent on Friday to all ministries, seeking their comments.

Leave facility

In addition, every ministry, department or public sector undertaking should preferably constitute a grievance redressal mechanism led by the head of administration and comprising at least two employees having knowledge of disability matters.

Special Casual Leave of 15 days annually may be granted to persons with disabilities if and when required, mainly for in-patient treatment at Central Government Health Scheme — recommended hospitals.

This leave may be granted in one or more spells.

As far as possible, persons with disabilities may be exempted from the rotational transfer policy or transfer and be allowed to continue in the same job where they have achieved the desired performance.

“Further, preference as to place of posting may be given at the time of transfer or promotion to persons with disabilities, especially those suffering from blindness or low vision and hearing impairment,” it said.

Source The Hindu Business Line