Date:15/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/15/stories/2006041514880400.htm

New Delhi

Disabled Rights Group writes to Manmohan

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI : The Disabled Rights Group has sought intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in ensuring that anyone with 90 per cent disability in his or her upper limbs is allowed to use a "scribe" while appearing for the Civil Services Examination.

"Not entitled to a scribe"

The Group took up the cudgels for Sunita Dogra after the Central Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) denied her permission to use the services of a scribe.

"Though she can avail of the reservation for disabled people, including certain posts for candidates with disability in the upper limbs, she is not `entitled' to a scribe as the DoPT rule says that only visually impaired candidates are allowed to write the exam using a scribe," said Group convener Javed Abidi.

Also, according to the Group, the Union Public Service Commission had not responded to a directive sent by the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disability .