PGI Director pulled up for absence, non-compliance in disability cases

Chandigarh

The Court of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, UT Chandigarh, has raised sharp objections over the repeated absence and persistent non-compliance of the PGI administration in matters filed by the PGI Differently Abled Employees Union.

In case No. 26, the court noted that despite adjournments and prior intimation, the PGI Director failed to appear in the hearing on September 9, without communication or permission to remain absent. The court also recorded that the PGI had not produced the roster register in compliance with earlier orders dated July 10 and not deposited the imposed penalty of Rs 10,000 relating to the appointment of GS Sandhu as Audit Consultant.

Immediate compliance was directed, with the next hearing fixed for October 13. In Case No. 28, the Commissioner observed that the appointment of GS Sandhu, a 72-year-old Audit Consultant in the Special Cell (SC/ST/PwD), was in violation of DoPT guidelines, which fix the maximum age for consultants at 65 years (extendable to 70 in exceptional cases).

Multiple representations by the Differently Abled Employees Union alleged that Sandhu was creating “obstacles and barriers” in implementing DoPT instructions on reservation in promotion for Divyang employees.

In a statement the PGI stated: “The matter is presently sub judice. So we refrain from offering any comments at this stage.” — TNS