Senior Bureaucrat Questions Need for Disability Quota in Civil Services

A senior bureaucrat has questioned the need for quotas for the specially-abled in the civil services, citing the demands of the job for ground work and the need for physical fitness.

Key Points

• A senior bureaucrat has questioned the need for quotas for the specially-abled in the civil services.
• Smita Sabharwal, member-secretary of the Telangana Finance Commission, has cited the demands of the job for ground work and the need for physical fitness as reasons for her doubts.
• Sabharwal has asked why the premier service needs this quota in the first place, citing examples of professions like piloting and surgery where disability is not considered suitable.

In a controversial move, a probationary IAS officer, Puja Khedkar, was selected under the disability criteria despite not having a disability. This has sparked a debate over the need for quotas for the differently-abled in the civil services.

Amidst this row, a senior bureaucrat has questioned the need for quotas for the specially-abled in the civil services. Smita Sabharwal, member-secretary of the Telangana Finance Commission, has cited the demands of the job for ground work and the need for physical fitness as reasons for her doubts.

Sabharwal posted on X, “With all due respect to the Differently Abled. Does an Airline hire a pilot with disability? Or would you trust a surgeon with a disability. The nature of the #AIS ( IAS/IPS/IFoS) is field-work, long taxing hours, listening first hand to people’s grievances-which requires physical fitness. Why does this premier service need this Quota in the first place!”

The move to select Khedkar under the disability quota has sparked a row, with many questioning the criteria used for selection. The government has defended the move, stating that Khedkar has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, which qualify her for the quota. However, many have pointed out that these conditions are not considered disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.

The debate over the need for quotas for the differently-abled in the civil services is not new. Critics argue that quotas can lead to a lack of merit and quality in the selection process, while proponents argue that they are necessary to ensure equal opportunities for the differently-abled.

The controversy over the selection of Khedkar is a reminder of the ongoing debate over the need for quotas in the civil services and the need to ensure fair and transparent selection processes.