Debate on Disability Quotas in Civil Services Intensifies

Amid the heated debate over the selection of probationary IAS officer Pooja Khedkar under disability criteria a senior bureaucrat has courted controversy by questioning the need for quota for especially abled people in civil services.

Smita Sabharwal who is member-secretary of the Telangana Finance Commission, expressed her concerns stating that the job’s demands for extensive fieldwork make it challenging for those with disabilities.

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

Her twitter post quickly gain sharp responses many criticized her viewpoint.

“This is such a pathetic and exclusionary view to have. Interesting to see how bureaucrats are showing their limited thoughts and their privilege too,” remarked Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi.

“I haven’t seen bureaucrats criticizing the misuse of quotas like EWS/Non-creamy layer or disabilities. Instead, they talk about doing away with a reservation that promotes diversity and inclusion. I don’t know how your years of service are relevant to your point. Thanks anyway,” Chaturvedi added in another post.

“Amazed that an IAS officer would be so fundamentally ignorant about disability. Most disabilities have no impact on stamina or intelligence. This tweet shows enlightenment and diversity are badly needed,” said senior Supreme Court Advocate Karuna Nandy.

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“As a trustee of @ncpedp_india, we witness thousands of innovative outcomes by people with disabilities, which are inspirational in many ways. NCPEDP was instrumental in getting disabled people into the UPSC, and we see them struggling daily due to a lack of awareness. Given a universal ecosystem, persons with disabilities can contribute to mainstream society on an equal basis. It’s time we educate ourselves rather than exclude 20 crore Indians from contributing to a better India,” stated NCPEDP Trustee Arvind Gupta.

Recently Puja Khedkar the 2023-batch trainee IAS officer made headlines recently when Pune collector Suhas Diwase wrote to Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, flagging several demands that Khedkar was not entitled to during her probation. This complaint set off a chain of events, leading to shocking revelations. Questions arose over how she cleared the rigorous UPSC selection process.

Her two-year training has now been put on hold.