By: Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government’s move to appoint commissioner for persons with disabilities has hit a roadblock due to non-availability of eligible candidates for the coveted post.
The revival of commission for persons with disabilities has got delayed as those who had applied for the post of commissioner for persons with disabilities were not found eligible as per the criteria laid down by the government.
“We have re-advertised the post due to non-availability of eligible candidates,” administrative secretary, Social Welfare Sheeetal Nanda told Precious Kashmir.
In September last year, the Jammu & Kashmir government set the ball rolling for appointment of commissioner for persons with disabilities by inviting applications from eligible candidates for the post.
This newspaper has learnt that 26 candidates including a former deputy commissioner had applied for the post. Subsequently, the Social Welfare department constituted a committee on October 25 last year to scrutinize the applications submitted by the candidates.
It is worthwhile to mention that the post of commissioner for persons with disabilities has been lying vacant since October 31, 2019- the day when the erstwhile state of J&K was re-organised into two UTs.
The person to be appointed as commissioner for persons with disabilities shall have special knowledge or practical experience in matters relating to rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
He/she shall have 20 years’ experience in Group “A” level or equivalent post in central government or state government or public sector undertakings or semi-government or autonomous bodies with disability matters/ social sector or works in the capacity of a senior-level functionary in a registered national or international voluntary organization working in the field of disability or social empowerment.
According to rules governing the appointment, a search-cum-selection panel headed by J&K’s chief secretary shall recommend a panel of three suitable candidates to the government for the appointment.
The government shall appoint one among the three as commissioner for persons with disabilities.
