Sunday, November 17, 2013

UPSC discrimination: Relief for one disabled doctor but what about others

The Hindu and India Medical Times covered how I was rejected by UPSC to apply for the post of Assistant Professor of Physiology not once but twice. It also mentioned the discriminatory proforma available at the UPSC website which all disabled candidates have to used.

This proforma for medical certificate for disabled candidates applying to the various UPSC posts is not only discriminatory but also violating human rights of respect, equality and dignity. It asks candidates (despite having a permanent disability certificate to attach recent photo SHOWING disability). It’s a form of harassment, discrimination and infringement of the privacy, dignity, respect and human rights of the physically disabled applicants and should be STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. What is the need to strip when a qualified medical board has already examined the candidate?

The proforma is available on the website and mandatory for all disabled candidates.
upsc.gov.in> Recruitment> Proforma> Proforma for medical certificate for PH candidate


Here is the screen shot:

The Times of India and The Hindu, the leading newspapers in India have covered both of the issues in their 16th November 2013 paper. India Medical Times also covered the story. Lets hope, the UPSC officials respond in time to allow all disabled doctors to apply as well as remove the discriminatory proforma at the earliest.


The Times of India. 16 Nov 2013. Page 8. UPSC flouts govt's job criteria for disabled.

The Hindu. 16 Nov 2013. Doctor with disability alleges discrimination by UPSC.


India Medical Times. 14 Nov 2013. Success for Dr Singh, but other physically challenged doctors still in lurch.

Clarifications
I take this opportunity to clarify few unintentional mistakes in print reports.

TOI, 16 Nov mentioned, "After I came to know that my candidature was rejected on ground of disability, I approached CAT. It said I could appear for interview. But I didn't get a call."

Clarification-The CAT order allowed me to appear for the interview and I did appeared for the interview but I wasn't selected. "I didn't get a call" is mistakenly written in the report.

The Hindu, 16 Nov states,"Dr. Singh has now approached a court seeking assistance to direct the UPSC to allow all the eligible disabled doctors to participate in the interview and remove the ‘discriminatory requirement’.

Clarification- The matter was already in the Court of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities. It was because of the speedier intervention of CCPD and Secretary, Health &  Family Affair that I was allowed. My dissatisfaction is with the order allowing only me. The 2011 letter from MoHFW allowed myself and other similarly placed candidates to appear for the interview. Current letter does not allow other candidates.

Also read:

Rejected by UPSC twice, physically challenged doctor battles for justice. India Medical Times. 8 Nov 2013

UPSC discriminating against me, alleges differently-abled doctor. The Hindu. 11 Nov 2013

M.S.J.E doesn't consider disabled doctors fit for teaching jobs. DNIS. 1 March 2011

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