Ten months have elapsed since Chief Minister MK Stalin announced the filling of all backlog government vacancies under the 4% quota for disabled persons through special exams and recruitment. However, no progress has been made, and no announcement regarding the special exam or recruitment has been made.
Ongoing Protests in Chennai
- Nature of Protests: Visually impaired individuals, with 1% internal reservation in the 4% quota, have been protesting in Chennai for the third consecutive day.
- Hunger Strike: Five visually impaired individuals are on a hunger strike for the third day, demanding fulfillment of the government’s promise.
- Police Action: On Tuesday, police detained over 100 protesting members and dropped them at the Kilambakkam bus terminus.
- Continued Protest: Despite police action, protesters resumed their demonstrations by staging a roadblock near the Kodambakkam Bridge on Wednesday.
Government’s Directive
- Government Order: Following an announcement in the assembly, the differently-abled welfare department released a government order on July 24, 2023.
- Directive to Departments: The order instructed all departments to identify posts to be filled by disabled persons through special recruitment drives and examinations.
- Age Relaxations: The order mandated providing age relaxations for disabled workers employed on a contract basis for more than two years as a one-time measure.
- Reporting Requirement: The commissioner for differently-abled persons was tasked with submitting a status report on the action taken by various departments every three months.
Demands of the Protesters
- Meeting with CM: Demand for Chief Minister’s intervention and a meeting to address concerns.
- Special Exams and Recruitment: Urging the Teachers’ Recruitment Board and Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission to conduct special examinations for recruitment in various posts.
- Inclusive Employment: Calls for implementation of reservation in government universities, colleges, and exemption for visually impaired candidates from certain examinations.
- Promotion Reservation: Demand for implementation of 4% reservation in promotions as per a Supreme Court order.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the primary demand of the visually impaired protesters in Chennai?
- A) Immediate recruitment without exams
- B) Filling of backlog vacancies through special exams and recruitment
- C) Higher internal reservation quota
- D) Increased government funding for disability welfare
- What action did the police take against the protesters on Tuesday?
- A) They escorted them to the Chief Minister’s office.
- B) They detained and dropped them at a bus terminus.
- C) They provided them with food and shelter.
- D) They offered them employment opportunities.
- What did the government directive on July 24, 2023, instruct the departments to do?
- A) Increase the number of vacancies for disabled persons.
- B) Provide additional facilities to existing disabled employees.
- C) Identify posts for filling by disabled persons through special recruitment.
- D) Remove all eligibility criteria for disabled applicants.
- What is one of the demands regarding recruitment made by the College Students and Graduates Association Of The Blind?
- A) Reduction of the reservation quota
- B) Exclusion of visually impaired candidates from recruitment processes
- C) Conducting a special examination for recruiting PG assistants by the Teachers’ Recruitment Board
- D) Reducing the age limit for visually impaired candidates