We’re forced to report to duty, say govt staff with disabilities

Vincent.Arockiaraj@timesgroup.com

Trichy: 24.04.2020

Despite the state government issuing a notification exempting government employees with disability from reporting for duty during the lockdown period considering their safety and security, some employees with disabilities have alleged that they are being compelled to work by their superiors. Since there is no public transport they have been finding it very difficult to report at offices, several of them 20 to 30km away.

According to the circular issued by chief secretary K Shanmugam, disabled employees are exempted from attending office from March 24 to April 14, which was subsequently extended till May 3. “Around 14 people with disabilities work at three district central cooperative banks and 70 branches located across Thanjavur district. Despite the absence of public transport, many of us were ordered to come to office every day by our superiors,” one of the staff members said.

When contacted, T M N Deepak, state president of December 3 Movement, told TOI that this was the case from across the state. “District-level officials never bother about such things”, he said.

Abdul Salam, state president of the association for disabled, ‘Guide’, alleged that he had been receiving such complaints from government departments in Trichy, Salem and other districts too. A senior officer at the district disabled welfare office in Thanjavur denied the allegation but refused to come on record. The Trichy officer did not answer calls.