Sayings of Smita Sabharwal?
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 respect to 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.
Smita Sabharwal, member-secretary of the Telangana Finance Commission, fueled the discussion further by claiming that people with disabilities face substantial obstacles due to the demands of the job, particularly the requirement for extensive groundwork.
“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 shared something on X, the previous Twitter.
Fire Upon Sabharwal.
Her remarks provoked an immediate criticism from a number of sources. Disability rights activist Dr. Satendra Singh responded to Sabharwal by saying, “Yes, there are a lot of disabled surgeons in India, dear @SmitaSabharwal ji. in specialties such as plastic surgery, gastroenterology, and urology. Thus, assume competence the next time you encounter a person with a disability!”
“Madam @SmitaSabharwal sure would know about Maj Gen Ian Cardozo AVSM SM, first war-disabled officer of @adgpi to command a battalion; KRS Jamwal, ED Tata Industries, acclaimed oncologist Dr. Suresh Advani, both wheelchair-bound,” wrote Arman Ali, executive director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People, in a post on X. When the talent is seen through a restricted lens, tragedy results!”
“Amazed that an IAS officer would be so fundamentally ignorant about disability,” said renowned attorney Karuna Nundy. The majority of disabilities don’t affect IQ or endurance. However, this tweet demonstrates how much diversity and enlightenment are required.”
In support of her position, Sabharwal stated that exceptional individuals with disabilities can find other fantastic possibilities and that the requirements of the All India Services (AIS) differ from those of other central services. “I have a basic understanding of the requirements of the position. This is a suitability question for a ground position. Furthermore, I am convinced that other government services, like think tanks and desk jobs, are a good fit. Do not draw hasty assumptions, please. The goal of the legal framework is to safeguard equality rights on a broad scale. There is no disagreement there.”
Case of Puja Khedkar.
Following a letter from Pune collector Suhas Diwase to Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, listing a number of demands Puja Khedkar made during her probation that she was not entitled to, the 2023-batch trainee IAS officer made headlines recently. That complaint set off a chain of events that resulted in shocking disclosures.
Khedkar was discovered to have cheated her way through the demanding UPSC selection procedure by feigning physical impairment and OBC status concessions for which she was not qualified. Her two-year training has been suspended as a result, and an inquiry into her IAS selection is being conducted by a panel established by the Centre.
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.
