Dear All, I am writing to theis forum after long. But I think this in an important news to share, so I had resubcribed to the mailing list again and hope this time I would be able to contribute more to the group and Viz versa.
You may be aware that AICB is working for education, rehabilitation and empowerment of the visually impairment persons. One of our salient activities is judicial activation against discrimination of disabled persons, particularly the visually impaired. And AICB has acieved an important breakthrough and obtained a landmark order of Delh High Court obtained in our ongoing case against Ministry of Railways pertaining to not filling up of 4254 vacancies reserved for disabled persons. I am appending the press release issued for your information. *New Delhi, Monday, 6th April 2009:* While hearing a petition filed by All India Confederation of the Blind relating to violation of persons with disabilities Act by the Indian Railways, a division bench of the Delhi High Court headed by Justice A. P. Shah (Chief Justice) sharply criticized the railways for not adhering to the court orders of 20th January 2009 directing it to maintain a roster with regard to appointments of disabled persons in Railways. Earlier, a joint report worked out by the petitioner and the respondent as per the directions of the Delhi High Court had stated that there was a whopping backlog to the extent of 4254 vacancies on which disabled persons should have been appointed as per the persons with disabilities Act, but the railways did not adhere to the provisions of this Act. Mr. Rajan Mani, council for the petitioner, All India Confederation of the Blind, argued that maintaining a roster was the first step towards ensuring reservations for disabled persons. ”Clearly, the Railways is not serious about fulfilling its statutory obligations,” he argued. The honuorable Chief Justice observed that non compliance of court orders amounted to contempt of the Court. He directed that Secretary Railways / Member (staff recruitments) be present in person on Monday 13th April 2009. The court also directed Railways to start special recruitment drive to appoint disabled persons by utilizing at least 50% of the available vacancies for this purpose. In a landmark order the court also directed the railways that no recruitment will take place unless provision is made to fill up 4254 vacancies reserved for disabled persons. ---- Sincerely yours Sachu Ramalingam Secretary-All India Confederation of the Blind Consultant-Vision Rehabilitation, Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital Mobile: 9871653331 To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in