SHILLONG, JUL 22: The Association for Empowerment of Divyangjan, Meghalaya State Unit, has urged the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities to push for urgent and complete implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, alleging that PWDs in the state continue to face exclusion in government jobs, services and public life.

In a memorandum submitted on Wednesday, AED Meghalaya — an umbrella body of six disability organizations including Blind Lead Trust and Meghalaya Deaf Association — said enforcement of the central law remains weak across departments, leaving thousands without access to basic rights guaranteed nearly 10 years ago.

The group’s primary concern is what it described as a widespread lack of legal awareness among government officials.

According to AED, department heads are often unaware of provisions under the RPWD Act, leading to delays in providing reasonable accommodation, accessible infrastructure, and grievance mechanisms for PWD applicants and employees.

The memorandum also disputed the state’s employment data for PWDs.

Referring to RTI replies that showed “zero backlog vacancies,” AED said the calculation is flawed.

It cited the Supreme Court’s 2013 ruling which requires backlog to be worked out at 3% from 1995 and 4% from 2016.

The association further alleged that recruitment processes remain exclusionary, with inaccessible online portals, no clear PWD categories, failure to provide scribes on time, and bias during interviews.

AED dedicated a section of its representation to four provisions it says are yet to take effect in Meghalaya.

It pointed out that no Section 24 social security scheme with the mandated 25% higher assistance has been notified. Cultural and sports participation under Section 29 is missing, with no accessible venues or support for PWD talent.

The state has also not constituted the Section 33 expert committee to identify posts for reservation, nor has it published a proper compliance report for the 4% reservation under Section 34.

To correct this, AED has submitted a charter of 12 demands with deadlines. It has asked for compulsory training for all department heads on disability rights, public disclosure of oversight committee members, and regular progress reports to the DPO.

The group wants all pending and current backlog vacancies advertised by October 10, 2026, and at least half of the 4% quota filled by January 10, 2027, including through promotions. It has also proposed a state-level special recruitment drive similar to the Centre’s campaign that filled over 15,000 PWD posts.Within three months, AED wants the government to notify a social security scheme for PWDs, launch inclusive cultural programmes, set up the expert committee under Section 33, and release department-wise data on reservation compliance.

The association has asked the Commissioner to acknowledge action taken within 14 days. It cautioned that in the absence of concrete steps on sensitization, recruitment and transparency, it will explore legal options and hold peaceful demonstrations across the state.