Department talks tough, orders probe

The Woman and Child Development Department has come out strongly against those using fake disability certificate to get jobs. The department came across a number of cases of fake certificates being used for cornering jobs reserved for the PWDs (persons with disability) prompting a circular.

It has warned doctors against issuing false disability certificates. This will attract stringent action since malpractices deny the benefit to genuinely deserving persons with disability, the  department said in the circular issued on Thursday.

The state has a provision of a statutory 3 percent reservation for those disability, as per the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.  The population of PWDs in the State is a little more than 2.3 percent though expert groups say it could be much higher. A major challenge for the PWDs is the low rate of absorption in the government sector jobs despite the statutory reservation.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary Arti Ahuja, in a letter to all secretaries and district collectors, informed that complaints have been received from disability organisations that people have obtained false disability certificates and secured jobs. All such complaints must be immediately inquired into in view of the fact that reservation for the PWDs has also been earmarked in outsourced and contractual appointments since June.

The department cautioned that since a large number of certificates are being issued in Bhima Bhoi Samarthya Shibirs, there is a need to cross-check the allegations and prompt action must be taken.

Ahuja’s letter also pointed out that there are cases where some people have already joined on the strength of false and fake disability certificates.

Once specific complaints are received over such appointments, the cases must be referred to the Appellate Medical Board constituted at the SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack. Their appointment should be stayed and salary withheld till they ared cleared by the medical board.

As per the Act, anyone who fraudulently avails or attempts to avail any benefit meant for the PWDs is liable to be punished with imprisonment of upto two years and fine of upto Rs 20,000 or both.