logo
Commissioner for People with Disabilities to be sent on compulsory leave: Maharashtra minister

Commissioner for People with Disabilities to be sent on compulsory leave: Maharashtra minister

The Print17-07-2025
In a calling attention motion, BJP MLC Sandeep Joshi informed that Nagpur-based Matoshri Shobhatai Bhakre school for intellectually challenged persons has 38 students and a staff of 26, including teachers.
After council members and its chairperson Ram Shinde insisted that the commissioner, an IAS officer, be suspended, Minister for Disability (Divyang) Welfare Atul Save assured the instructions of the chair will be followed.
Mumbai, Jul 16 (PTI) Maharashtra's Commissioner for People with Disabilities will be sent on compulsory leave, a minister told the legislative council on Wednesday after a BJP MLC accused him of handling an issue related to a school for intellectually challenged students in an insensitive manner.
Joshi said the institution had taken a loan, but the director of the school has forced teachers and other staff members to repay it through EMIs.
There is no arrangement for food and water in the school, and staff members were abused and even threatened with a gun by the director if they raised any complaints, the MLC alleged.
Joshi said the Nagpur Zilla Parishad (ZP) did an evaluation of the school in February in which it gave 80 out of 100 points to the school. After he raised the issue, another evaluation was done by the Zilla Parishad which gave 23 of 100 points in just three months of the first report.
The lawmaker said he repeatedly raised this issue with the Commissioner for People with Disabilities, but barring once, he did not get any response.
The MLC said he made frequent calls to the bureaucrat since the start of the monsoon session of the state legislature on June 30, but to no avail.
Joshi demanded action against the Commissioner for People with Disabilities for not looking into the issue despite repeated directions, against the CEO of Nagpur Zilla Parishad for two varying reports about the institute in less than three months and also the director of the institute who threatened the staff.
Replying to the calling attention motion, Save said, 'It is a serious issue. An administrator has been appointed for the institute.
Joshi, however, demanded action against the Commissioner for People with Disabilities and Zilla Parishad CEO.
Save said he has no powers to suspend the Commissioner as he is an IAS officer and that the department needs to recommend the same to the government.
The minister said official can be sent on compulsory leave.
However, the Joshi insisted that the official be suspended for his insensitive behaviour while dealing with a sensitive issue. Other members of the house, including Pravin Darekar (BJP), also joined him in seeking action.
Council Chairman Shinde asked Save to send the official on compulsory leave, serve him a show cause issue and suspend the official.
'Instructions of the chair will be followed,' the minister said. PTI PR RSY
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Toning up BJP across the state a challenge, says Ramchandra Rao
Toning up BJP across the state a challenge, says Ramchandra Rao

Hans India

time18 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Toning up BJP across the state a challenge, says Ramchandra Rao

Hyderabad: Bharatiya Janata Party Telangana unit president N Ramchandra Rao, who assumed office on July 5, has said that the first challenge before him is to strengthen the organizational structure across the state, be they urban, rural, tribal or backward regions, as part of the party's broader vision for pan-Telangana expansion. In an exclusive interview with The Hans India, Ramachandra Rao, speaking on the party's grassroots strategy, observed: 'Earlier, the BJP was perceived as an urban-centric party. That image is changing. We are building a robust organization from the booth level upwards, ensuring even growth across the state.' He highlighted that the formation of booth committees had been completed in over 25,000 out of approximately 30,000 polling booths. Ramchandra Rao said that the party's 40-lakh-strong membership base had been driving this transformation to strengthen the party's organisational structure across the geographical areas of the state ahead of the polls to local bodies. On perceived internal differences among certain party leaders, Rao acknowledged that, with organizational expansion, came diversity. 'As the party grows, differences are natural. We are integrating leaders from varied backgrounds and resolving issues swiftly,' he said, while denying media narratives that presumed discrimination between new and old members. Referring specifically to criticism of 'discrimination against those joining the party fold' (new members), Rao firmly stated that the BJP treated all members—new or old—with equal respect. 'Some Congress and BRS leaders are trying to mislead the public by spreading rumours of bias. This is leading to the media speculations. That's not how we function,' he said, while urging the media to avoid sensationalism and instead understand the party's inclusive ethos. Answering queries on perceived ideological divisions within the party—with some claiming that their allegiance to the 'Hindutva' doctrine should outweigh other aspects and others citing the move to bring on board youth, with PM Modi, Union Minister Amit Shah as well as other national leaders believing it to be essential for ushering in transformative leadership to meet the 21st-century realities, Rao remarked, 'While Hindutva remains a core value, the BJP is also looking at bringing aspirational youth into politics to create and give next-generation political leaders to the country." Rao said that the party leadership had taken cognizance of the reported differences between the two top leaders from the state, commenting: "both are leaders at the national level and mass leaders. The party doesn't want it to further escalate. It will be resolved soon," he added. Stressing the need for unity, discipline, and ideological clarity in the party unit, he remarked: 'Whether new or experienced, every party worker should understand and uphold our core principles. Our priority remains organizational harmony and preparing for electoral success.' The BJP State unit chief clarified that there would be no alliance or understanding with the BRS. 'It is a propaganda being spread by both the Congress and the BRS to prevent the BJP from gaining momentum, as it is increasingly gaining traction from the people in their political bastions.'

Raise voice against sexual harassment: Pravati
Raise voice against sexual harassment: Pravati

Hans India

time18 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Raise voice against sexual harassment: Pravati

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Wednesday urged working women to fearlessly raise their voice against sexual harassment at workplaces and fight for their rights. Speaking at an orientation programme on POSH Act (2013) at the State secretariat, Lok Seva Bhawan, Parida said, 'Sexual harassment is not a stigma or taboo. If we remain silent, we empower the harasser. Saying 'no' is your right—use it. The government stands firmly with victims.' Parida, the only woman minister in the Mohan Charan Majhi-led BJP government, also heads the Women and Child Development department. She addressed over 600 government employees, both men and women, at the session designed to raise awareness on Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act. Emphasising institutional accountability, she said, 'Strict directives have been issued to set up Internal Committees in all institutions and colleges to ensure proper implementation of the Act. Action will be taken against both offenders and those making false accusations.' Parida has been the target of the Opposition BJD and Congress over a brutal attack on a 15-year-old girl in Balanga, under her Nimapara constituency, who was set ablaze by unidentified assailants. Taking aim at the previous BJD regime, Parida said the POSH Act had been neglected since its introduction in 2013. The orientation programme was attended by renowned lawyer Manasi Padhi, who delivered a detailed presentation on the POSH Act during two dedicated sessions. She explained the provisions, rights, responsibilities and redressal mechanisms under the Act in depth. Opposition BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty, however, in an X post said, 'The Deputy Chief Minister must ensure that when a victim speaks, it is not met with institutional silence from the government or her party. Justice should not end with video messages, it must be delivered in action.' He cited the case of a student from FM College, Balasore, who reportedly faced harassment but failed to get justice due to delays and inaction by the college ICC, police and political leaders. 'The common people, along with Opposition parties, are now fighting for justice for our sister. Meanwhile, a minor girl from the area represented by Madam Pravati Parida, was set ablaze and is now fighting for her life,' Mohanty said in the social media post, adding that across Odisha, incidents of sexual harassment are being reported almost daily due to the breakdown of law and order under the BJP government. Meanwhile, in a post on X, Parida, who flew to Delhi after addressing the programme, said: 'I met the victim from Balanga, who is undergoing treatment at Delhi AIIMS. She hails from my constituency. I spoke to her family and relatives. During this visit, I discussed her health condition and treatment with the medical team and specialists providing her care. I pray to the Almighty that she recovers quickly.'

Siddaramaiah vows GST relief to small traders
Siddaramaiah vows GST relief to small traders

Hindustan Times

time18 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Siddaramaiah vows GST relief to small traders

Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday assured that small traders who register under GST (goods and services tax) will not be made to pay past dues, in an effort to address growing unrest over tax notices served by the state's Commercial Tax Department. The chief minister said that businesses dealing in tax-exempt items such as milk, vegetables, fruits and meat, who may have received notices, would not be pursued for tax recovery (PTI) 'Only those who had annual UPI transactions above ₹40 lakh have been issued GST notices,' Siddaramaiah said. 'Initially, the notices were just to ask them to register under GST. If they register now, the government will not recover previous dues.' The move comes in response to backlash from sections of the trading community, following the issuance of GST notices to thousands of small and micro businesses, many of whom operate outside the formal tax net. Siddaramaiah held a meeting with representatives from trade bodies, including the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), and later addressed the media to clarify the government's position. The chief minister added that businesses dealing in tax-exempt items such as milk, vegetables, fruits and meat, who may have received notices, would not be pursued for tax recovery. 'Though some such traders may have received notices, no tax will be collected from them. But those who are legally liable must pay their dues,' he said. He added that 'we will not collect taxes from traders dealing in exempted goods, even if notices have been issued. I have also instructed officials not to pursue cases related to notices for clearing arrears from the past two to three years.' Siddaramaiah confirmed that around 18,000 notices had been issued to approximately 9,000 traders over the past two to three years. 'Old tax arrears that have been included in the notices will be waived. The government will not recover those dues,' he said. 'They must mandatorily register under GST.' He acknowledged that excessive reliance on UPI data had led to confusion and unnecessary panic. 'If UPI-based transactions are avoided, it will affect trade transparency. Our government supports small traders. Our goal is not to harass traders. We will assist them in complying with tax laws. The government is on the side of small businesses,' he said. During the meeting, trader representatives flagged widespread confusion over the notices. 'There is confusion among small traders regarding the GST notices. Even loan amounts and personal transactions have been included,' they said, requesting a more humane approach. 'Traders should be given an opportunity to pay taxes with relief. They should be allowed to directly approach the department without involving middlemen,' they told the CM. They also called for a dedicated helpline and awareness drives to address misinformation and build clarity. 'Due to lack of proper information about GST, there is a lot of misunderstanding. Awareness campaigns must be conducted. One-time waiver of old dues is essential,' they said. Responding to these demands, Siddaramaiah said a helpline already exists but assured that it would be strengthened. He also instructed officials to conduct workshops for trade and street vendor associations to improve outreach and compliance. In response to the GST row, state BJP president BY Vijayendra accused the government of using GST notices to meet revenue targets. He claimed that small vendors — including those selling essential items — were being indiscriminately served notices for 18% tax. 'The Commercial Tax Department issuing GST notices to small and micro traders has sparked widespread concern. These traders are deeply worried, while the chief minister and his ministers are attempting to shift the blame on the Centre,' Vijayendra said. 'At a time when the state coffers are empty, the CM is pressuring tax officials to issue recovery notices,' he added. The BJP leader alleged that the chief minister had fixed tax collection targets to overtake Maharashtra in GST revenue rankings. 'I urge the chief minister to immediately halt the issuance of these notices to small and micro traders and to withdraw those already served,' he said, pledging BJP's support to the ongoing trader protests. Several trader associations have called for a boycott of UPI transactions and had announced a statewide strike on Friday. However, trade bodies who met the chief minister on Wednesday said they did not support any bandh and would withdraw proposed agitations. 'I told the traders not to go on strike or stage a demonstration at Freedom Park. They have agreed to withdraw their agitation,' the chief minister told reporters after a meeting with the trader community. (With PTI inputs)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store