"How Will These Bodies Function?": Delhi HC Seeks Centre's Response Over Failure To Fill Posts Created For Welfare Of Persons With Disabilities

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday expressed concern over Centre's failure to fill up various vacancies with respect to the statutory posts created for the welfare of persons with disabilities.

The Court was hearing a petition filed in the year 2018, pointing the failure on part of Union of India to fill up the positions of Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities (appointed under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016), Chairperson to Rehabilitation Council of India (appointed under the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992) and Chairperson to National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities (appointed under the National Trust Act, 1999).

The Court observed that these appointments have to be made by the Union of India but the authority has failed to file its counter affidavit till date. It thus directed Centre to file a specific affidavit relating to this grievance within a week, indicating:

-the dates since when these posts are lying vacant

-the steps taken to fill up these vacancies

-in case steps are not taken, the reasons therefor, and

-what steps are supposed to be taken and within how much, time to fill up these posts.

"We fail to appreciate as to why the statutory posts are not being filled up in time to enable the functioning of statutory bodies and offices who are expected to discharge their duties under the beneficial legislations," the Bench said in its order.

The matter will now be taken up on 11 May.

Case Title: Sanjay Verma v. Union of India