RPSC questions state health dept for issuing ‘incorrect’ disability certificates

Jaipur: Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) has hauled up state health department for issuing incorrect disability certificates. In a letter to health department, RPSC has highlighted discrepancies discovered during the re-validation process of disability certificates. The commission found that several certificates were inaccurate and did not reflect the true extent of candidates' disabilities. One such case is that of Jairam Gurjar, who was initially issued a certificate stating he had ‘apraxia of speech difficulty of 41%’. However, upon rechecking by the medical board under the supervision of SMSmedical college principal, Gurjar did not meet eligibility criteria for speech and language disability. This discrepancy raises serious concerns about the reliability and accuracy of disability certificates issued by the health department. TOI has obtained documents pertaining to four such candidates, including their original disability certificates and the corresponding rechecking reports. Divyangjan Board of SMS medical college determined that Gurjar has ‘zero’ percentage of disability, stating, “Candidate is not eligible for speech and language disability as per the guidelines (guidelines for purpose of assessing the extent of specified disabilities).”Joint director of school education had requested a re-examination of Gurjar’s disability certificate, which was issued by Jaipur’s chief medical health officer (CMHO) on Sept 9, 2023. The certificate mentioned, “He is a case of multiple disability. His extent of permanent physical impairment has been evaluated as per guidelines for the disability in which 41% of speech and language disability has been found.” The candidate allegedly submitted this certificate to the education department for a teaching position. However, upon re-examination, it was determined that the candidate had “zero disability.”RPSC also shared three other cases with the health department regarding disability certificates issued in Kota. A person identified as Amitabh Sharma was provided with a certificate of 45% hearing impairment in both ears by the then CMHO, Kota. Re-examination at MBS Hospital Kota, which included BERA and other tests, confirmed that he had no hearing impairment, rendering his certificate illegal. Another candidate, Ram Bharosi Gurjar, was given a disability certificate mentioning “40% permanent physical impairment in relation to his left leg,” but this certificate was also found to be ‘illegal’ upon re-examination. Additionally, Mukesh Chand Luhar was provided with a disability certificate for ‘42% permanent physical impairment in relation to his left hand’, which was also deemed ‘illegal’ after re-examination at MBS Hospital, Kota.“The disability certificates submitted for exams conducted by RPSC remain unclear. The guidelines for purpose of assessing the extent of specified disabilities are not being followed. In such a case, legal cases increase as ineligible candidates may get selected,” RPSC wrote to health department.RPSC has demanded disciplinary action against such health department officials if they issued them due to negligence or collusion. A senior health department official said, “We are taking measures to ensure that disability certificates issued are correct.”
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