Blind candidates to get extra 20 minutes per hour in HPSC exams

Coming to the aid of a blind candidate, the state commissioner for persons with disabilities has directed the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) to give additional 20 minutes per hour to blind candidates appearing in competitive examinations conducted by the Commission.



In his April 8 court order, commissioner for persons with disabilities, Haryana, Phool Chand Yadav said the complainant, Chirag Mittal of Hisar, a blind candidate has contended that HPSC was providing only 10 minutes per hour to the blind candidates appearing for competitive examinations which is not suitable as the blind person has to get help for reading the question paper as well as giving dictation.

The complainant relied on the August 19, 2014 judgment of Delhi high court in this regard. “In my opinion the present case is fit for issuance of directions to HPSC to comply with the judgments/orders because of the fact that action of the Commission is discriminatory towards persons with disabilities. Mentally retarded and those having locomotor disabilities ( disability of muscles, bones and joints causing restriction of movement of the limbs or any form of Cerebral Palsy) are given 20 minutes per hour whereas the blind are given 10 minutes,’’ the order said.

It further said that the HPSC is directed to provide every blind candidate appearing for competitive examination 20 minutes per hour as per law laid down by the Delhi high court and Supreme Court and guidelines issued by the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities.

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