Representatives of differently-abled scholars from various university wings met YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy at Tadepalli on Tuesday and brought to his notice the “absence of reservation” for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the recent faculty recruitment notifications.

The delegation, led by All University Divyang Wings president M. Koteswara Rao and executive member M. Srinivasa Rao, explained the issues faced by differently-abled candidates in securing employment opportunities in higher education institutions across the State.

They said the government had recently issued notifications for filling 1,523 posts of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Lecturer in 19 universities, but failed to provide reservation for the PwDs. They expressed concern that many highly qualified persons were being deprived of employment opportunities due to lack of reservation.

They also alleged that the government was not properly implementing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, enacted to ensure equality, empowerment and protection of rights for PwDs. As a result, the differently-abled individuals were losing access to jobs and livelihood opportunities, they rued. They also complained that opportunities were not being provided even in contract and outsourcing appointments.

Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy assured the delegation that efforts would be made to secure justice for the differently-abled candidates.