The West Bengal Public Service Commission in its recent order omitted the reservation under Section 33 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, of Candidates with blindness and cerebral palsy appearing for West Bengal Judicial Service Examination. It refers to a 2007 notification that exempted candidates with blindness and cerebral palsy from judicial service.

It is pertinent to note that the Apex Court in the case of Union Of India & Anr vs National Federation Of The Blind, held that “Employment is a key factor in the empowerment and inclusion of people with disabilities. It is an alarming reality that disabled people are out of their jobs not because their disability comes in the way of their functioning but rather it is social and practical barriers that prevent them from joining the workforce.”

“AND WHEREAS judicial mind is required to be applied with by the judicial officers before any cases are disposed of by them; AND WHEREAS any commission of omission on the part of the judicial officers on account of disability with blindness and cerebral palsy may hinder dispensation of justice to the litigant parties” the order stated.