PWDs in Central Government – 7th Pay Commission Recommendations

7th Pay Commission Recommendations for PWDs in Central Govt

The 7th Pay Commission, which is responsible for setting the pay scales of government employees in India, recognizes the importance of providing equal opportunities for people with disabilities. As part of its recommendations, the commission has proposed various measures to ensure that individuals with disabilities are properly represented in the central government workforce. These measures include the creation of reserved vacancies for disabled persons, the provision of special facilities and equipment to aid in their work, and the implementation of training and development programs to enhance their skills and abilities. By incorporating these recommendations, the government is taking a step towards creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce that values the contributions of all its employees.

PWDs in Central Government

PWDs are granted a three percent reservation in job opportunities by the government. In addition to this reservation, DoPT has provided guidelines for identifying suitable jobs, training after recruitment and before promotion, accessibility and environment standards at the workplace, preferred government accommodation, addressing grievances, and priority in transfers and postings. Recently, a new rule was introduced that permits a ten-year age limit relaxation (fifteen years for SC/ST candidates and thirteen years for OBC candidates) for direct recruitment to civil posts and services under the Central Government.

In addition, there are exclusive benefits that are provided as mentioned below:

1. Women with disabilities are entitled to a Special Allowance for Child Care of ₹1,500 per month.
2. The Transport Allowance is provided at twice the regular rate, with a minimum of ₹1,000 per month.
3. Retired employees with a 100 percent disability are eligible for Constant Attendance Allowance at a rate of ₹4,500 per month.
4. For specific requirements related to disabilities, four days of Special Casual Leave are granted in a calendar year.
5. Participation in conferences, seminars, trainings, or workshops related to disability and development grants ten days of Special Casual Leave in a calendar year.

If the disability is a result of work-related circumstances, there are a few extra benefits that can be accessed, which include but are not limited to:

1. Specific Disability Leave
2. Disability Pension
3. Education Concession for children of military personnel who are disabled due to their involvement in action.

Furthermore, for workers who have children with disabilities, they can take advantage of a doubled Children’s Education Allowance and Hostel Subsidy.

Demands

The Commission has received a set of demands from employee groups with disabilities. These demands include the following:

1. Improved provisions that are better tailored to the needs of employees with disabilities.
2. The creation of common rooms in office buildings that come equipped with recreational facilities.
3. Additional discounts on house building and automobile advances to help employees with disabilities better manage their finances.
4. The establishment of welfare committees within various ministries to help ensure that the needs of employees with disabilities are being met.

Analysis and Recommendations

The government has a crucial responsibility to provide equal opportunities, protect justifys, and ensure full participation in society for persons with disabilities (PWDs). This responsibility is emphasized in the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, established in 2006, which outlines the steps that the government must take to achieve these objectives. These measures align with the fundamental principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Furthermore, India has pledged to uphold the justifys of PWDs by signing the UN Convention on Disabilities. As such, the Union Government is accountable for implementing adequate policies and programs to support employees with disabilities.

The report contains several recommendations from the Commission, which are compiled below for ease of reference:

1. To acknowledge the unique challenges faced by women with disabilities in raising their children, the Special Allowance for Child Care for Women with Disabilities has been increased from the current rate of ₹1,500 per month to ₹3,000 per month.
2. The Transport Allowance will continue to be paid at twice the standard rate, with a minimum amount of ₹2,250 per month instead of the previous minimum of ₹1,000 per month.
3. The Children Education Allowance and Hostel Subsidy for differently-abled children will be twice the standard rate.
4. The Constant Attendance Allowance has been increased from ₹4,500 per month to ₹6,750 per month.
5. The Special Disability Leave has been incorporated into the Work Related Illness and Injury Leave (WRIIL) and has better provisions.
6. Educational Concession, which was previously only available to children of Defense personnel who were killed, missing, or disabled in action, is now available to similarly situated personnel from CAPFs, Indian Coast Guard, RPF, and police forces of Union Territories mutatis mutandis.

To enhance the working environment for employees with disabilities, there are additional suggestions that could be considered:

1. Our interactions have revealed that easy access to facilities, particularly restrooms, is still a major issue. It is recommended that the Guidelines and Space Standard for Barrier Free Built Environment for Disabled and Elderly Persons, issued by CPWD, Ministry of Urban Affairs and Employment, should be strictly adhered to when designing new government buildings. These guidelines could also be explored for implementation in existing offices.
2. Each ministry should establish a welfare committee that includes representation from disabled employees to address their concerns.
3. The grievance redressal system needs to be strengthened and made more efficient.