The Gujarat government has in-principle agreed to recruit blind candidates in reserved category for disabled, as Vidya Sahayaks. Earlier, Blind People's Association (BPA) approached the judiciary due to the state government's reluctance to appoint blind candidates to the 3% reserved jobs during a recruitment drive for 13,000 Vidya Sahayaks across the state. The BPA sought the appointment for blind candidates on the grounds that the state government didn't have any exemption notification. The HC stayed the government from filling the reserved posts.
Bhushan Punani, executive secretary, BPA, said that they had a meeting with top government officials on September 19 at Gandhinagar during which the officials agreed in-principle to recruit blind students. "They have also agreed to provide the required infrastructure such as teaching aids to schools they are posted in. The government will soon issue a notification on the subject. The move will not only provide employment to the blind but also encourage blind students to pursue courses like BEd," he said. Punani added that the government decision would have a lasting impact on other government recruitments through competitive exams and the quota for the disabled. "Earlier, the notification mentioned that only those with 40% to 75% visual impairment would be considered eligible. We approached the government over the issue and they agreed to include even the completely blind. Moreover, the deaf (hearing impaired) were not included at all. Now they have also been considered for the same posts," he said.
Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, state education minister, said that court orders are clear about recruitment of blind people and other disabled people. "We are recruiting according to the court directions. If lower-level officials are misinterpreting court directions and not following orders, we will take appropriate action. Anyone with such a grievance can contact me directly," he said.
