<p>The Delhi High Court has asked Indian Railways to fill 4,100 vacant posts, meant for physically challenged persons, within six months saying the right to recruitment should not be ''only on papers'' but needed to be translated into reality.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Pulling up the biggest PSU employer over the delay in filling up the posts, a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri made it clear that no further extension shall be granted for completion of the task.<br /><br />"The respondent (Railways) shall fill up the backlog of reserved posts of physically challenged persons. There has to be strict compliance of the direction in a time bound manner and no laxity or indiscrimination shall be tolerated in this behalf. <br /><br />“We make it clear that since Railways have already delayed the process, the time schedule should be strictly adhered to," said the bench, comprising Justice R S Endlaw.<br /><br />The court, imposing a fine of Rs 25,000 on Railways, said the mindset of authorities needs to be changed and they should realise that persons with disabilities are to be given appropriate employment opportunities.<br /><br />The problem of the persons suffering from disability is no more a medical issue but an issue of 'Human Rights'. Such persons do not want to be a burden on the society. They do not want sympathy but equal opportunities to grow, added the court.<br /><br />The verdict came on the plea of All India Confederation of Blind, filed in 2005, seeking action against the Railways which had not been honouring the Disabilities Act providing three per cent reservation to physically challenged persons since 1996.<br /><br />Non-filling up of posts since 1996 led to piling up of the vacancies, the petition had said.<br /><br />"The court pulled up the Railways Ministry for adopting an "unreasonable" stand and directed it to fill such posts in accordance with the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.</p>
<p>The Delhi High Court has asked Indian Railways to fill 4,100 vacant posts, meant for physically challenged persons, within six months saying the right to recruitment should not be ''only on papers'' but needed to be translated into reality.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Pulling up the biggest PSU employer over the delay in filling up the posts, a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri made it clear that no further extension shall be granted for completion of the task.<br /><br />"The respondent (Railways) shall fill up the backlog of reserved posts of physically challenged persons. There has to be strict compliance of the direction in a time bound manner and no laxity or indiscrimination shall be tolerated in this behalf. <br /><br />“We make it clear that since Railways have already delayed the process, the time schedule should be strictly adhered to," said the bench, comprising Justice R S Endlaw.<br /><br />The court, imposing a fine of Rs 25,000 on Railways, said the mindset of authorities needs to be changed and they should realise that persons with disabilities are to be given appropriate employment opportunities.<br /><br />The problem of the persons suffering from disability is no more a medical issue but an issue of 'Human Rights'. Such persons do not want to be a burden on the society. They do not want sympathy but equal opportunities to grow, added the court.<br /><br />The verdict came on the plea of All India Confederation of Blind, filed in 2005, seeking action against the Railways which had not been honouring the Disabilities Act providing three per cent reservation to physically challenged persons since 1996.<br /><br />Non-filling up of posts since 1996 led to piling up of the vacancies, the petition had said.<br /><br />"The court pulled up the Railways Ministry for adopting an "unreasonable" stand and directed it to fill such posts in accordance with the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.</p>