Appoint Independent Commissioner For Disabled: HC

The Telangana High Court today directed the State government to appoint an independent State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) within six weeks, in compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.

This directive follows a writ petition filed by the All India Confederation of the Blind (AICB) and the Development & Welfare Association of the Blind (DWAB), citing the State's prolonged failure to fulfill this statutory obligation.

The petitioners, represented by advocate Sahithi Sri Kavya Mukkera, argued that the current practice of assigning the Director of Welfare of Disabled & Senior Citizens to also serve as the State Commissioner for PwDs created a significant conflict of interest.

This dual role compromised the impartiality required for effective grievance redressal, as the same official was responsible for implementing welfare schemes and adjudicating complaints related to these schemes. Such an arrangement violated the principles of natural justice and undermined the independence of the Commissioner's office, she said.

Despite repeated representations to successive governments, no substantive steps had been taken to appoint an independent commissioner, leaving the rights of PwDs inadequately protected, she added.

The High Court's order mandates the State government to rectify this oversight within a six-week timeframe, ensuring compliance with the RPwD Act.

Ponugoti Chokka Rao, Vice President of AICB, expressed hope that the government would implement the court's directive promptly. He said that appointing an independent Commissioner to uphold the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities was important, ensuring they had access to an impartial and effective grievance redressal mechanism.