IAS Officer Smita Sabharwal’s comment on disability quota sparks major criticism
PTC News Desk: A senior bureaucrat has questioned the necessity of special education quotas for the civil services amid a major controversy over the appointment of controversial probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar under disability criteria.
According to Smita Sabharwal, member-secretary of the Telangana Finance Commission, people with impairments find their jobs challenging because to the groundwork requirements.
“With all due regard for individuals with disabilities. Does a pilot with a disability get hired by an airline? Or would you put your trust in a disabled surgeon? The #AIS (IAS/IPS/IFoS) involves field work, lengthy, demanding hours, and first-hand observation of people’s complaints, all of which call for physical health. Why is this Quota even necessary for this elite service? Smita Sabharwal made a post on X, which was once Twitter.
As this debate is blowing up-
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…
— Smita Sabharwal (@SmitaSabharwal) July 21, 2024
Many people responded sharply to Ms. Sabharwal’s essay, labelling it as ‘flawed logic’ and uneducated.
To hold such an insensitive and exclusive viewpoint is just sad. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi stated, “It’s interesting to see how bureaucrats are displaying their narrow perspectives and their privilege too.”
“I haven’t observed bureaucrats criticising the removal of a reserve that encourages diversity and inclusion, but rather the abuse of the quota, such as EWS/Non creamy layer or Disability and getting into the system. I’m not sure how your statement regarding the amount of years of service relates to your argument. In any case, thanks,” Ms. Chaturvedi wrote in a different post.
This is such a pathetic and exclusionary view to have. Interesting to see how bureaucrats are showing their limited thoughts and their privilege too https://t.co/n2seGiI0qP
— Priyanka Chaturvedi???????? (@priyankac19) July 21, 2024
I’m shocked that an IAS officer could have such a basic lack of understanding regarding disabilities. The majority of disabilities don’t affect endurance or wisdom. However, this tweet demonstrates how much diversity and knowledge are needed, according to prominent Supreme Court advocate Karuna Nandy.
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“As trustees of @ncpedp_india, we witness hundreds of creative outputs created by individuals with disabilities, which is tremendously motivating. Because of ignorance, we witness disabled people’s daily struggles at UPSC, thanks in large part to NCPEDP. People with impairments are equally capable of contributing to mainstream society if they are provided with a universal ecology NCPEDP Trustee Arvind Gupta stated, “It’s time we educate ourselves instead of excluding 20 crore Indians from contributing to a better India.”
Amazed that an IAS officer would be so fundamentally ignorant about disability. Most disabilities have no impact on stamina. Or intelligence. But this tweet shows enlightenment and diversity are badly needed. https://t.co/DXa0mVU3GU
— Karuna Nundy (@karunanundy) July 21, 2024
A few weeks ago, Pune collector Suhas Diwase wrote to Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, bringing to her attention Puja Khedkar, the trainee IAS officer from the 2023 batch, citing various demands that she was not entitled to during her probation.
As a trustee of @ncpedp_india, we see thousands of innovative outcomes by people with disabilities, which is inspirational in many ways. NCPEDP was instrumental in getting disabled people in UPSC & we see them struggling daily due to lack of awareness. If given a universal… https://t.co/M6TUgDSIUY
— Arvind Gupta (@buzzindelhi) July 21, 2024
This complaint started a series of events that resulted in unexpected disclosures. Concerns were voiced on how she managed to pass the challenging UPSC screening procedure. It was discovered that, although not being eligible, she had taken advantage of the exemptions for her physical impairment and OBC candidacy.
Her two years of training have now been suspended, and a panel established by the Centre is investigating her choice to join the IAS.