Bhubaneswar: The department of Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) has urged Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) to relax the criteria for persons with disabilities (PwD) candidates applying for jobs.
In a letter to OPSC secretary, SSEPD secretary Niten Chandra said, “It has come to the notice that there are discrepancies in advertisements issued by OPSC for recruitment to various posts through Odisha Civil Services Examination, 2018, Odisha Judicial Service Examination, 2018 and also to the posts of Assistant Section Officers in Odisha Secretariat Services, 2018.”
As per advertisements, Chandra said an eligible candidate can claim only one age relaxation benefit which is “most beneficial” to him/ her.
“However, according to the Odisha Civil Service (Fixation of Upper Age Limit) Rules, 1989 read with Odisha Civil Service (Fixation of Upper Age Limit) Amendment Rules, 2016, PwDs belonging to SC/ST category are eligible for cumulative benefit of 15 years of relaxation of upper age limit; 10 years under PwD category and 5 years under SC/ST category,” he mentioned.
Similarly, the SSEPD secretary also raised his concern for the PwD candidates on making left-hand thumb impression (LTI) mandatory for all candidates.
He urged the Commission to make alternative arrangement for PwD candidates who are unable to provide LTI.
“I shall appreciate if you take appropriate measures so that the eligible PwD candidates affected due to the above mentioned points are not discriminated against,” Chandra appealed.