In a significant legal move, the Gujarat High Court on Monday questioned the Gujarat government’s inaction regarding a reservation policy for promotions for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Justice Aniruddha P Mayee issued a formal notice to the state, seeking an explanation for not implementing a 4% reservation in promotions, as stipulated under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPD) Act, 2016.
The plea, brought forward by a group of 34 government employees with disabilities, highlighted the state’s failure to draft a policy in alignment with the central government’s directives issued on December 28, 2023, and May 17, 2022. These directives from the Department of Personnel and Training mandated the state to establish a promotion reservation policy for PwDs, reflecting a broader national effort to ensure workplace equality under the RPD Act.
The employees’ petition pointed out the ongoing neglect by the state administration, citing 26 unsuccessful representations made between 2021 and 2024 urging the government to adhere to the legal requirements. Despite recommendations from the court of the disabilities commissioner on June 25, 2024, the General Administration Department has yet to act, leading to significant frustration among affected employees.
