ODISHA SOCIAL SECURITY DEPARTMENT BLATANTLY DEFIED SUPREME COURT ORDER; DISABILITY COMMISSIONER NOT APPOINTED BY AUGUST 31
Bhubaneswar(28/09/2023): A public interest litigation case 29329/2021 filed by Girijalal Seema in the Supreme Court was heard by the Chief Justice Chandrachud, Justice Pamudighantham Shri Narshimha and Justice Manoj Mishra on July 17th.
Hearing this public interest case, the Supreme Court said that the State Governments will appoint independent Disabled Commissioners by August 31, 2023.
But the Odisha government has openly violated the Supreme Court by not appointing an independent Disability Commissioner in the state even after 4 weeks have passed since August 31.
As a result, there has been intense dissatisfaction and anger in the intellectual circle and advocates of the state.
A strong demand has been presented by the Odisha Disability Forum to appoint an independent Disability Commissioner in the state as soon as possible without waiting for the retirement date of any specific government official without neglecting the best interest and protection of the rights of the disabled.
Similarly, after hearing another public interest case brought by Odisha Association for the Blind, the bench consisting of the Chief Justice of Odisha, Justice S Muralidhar and Justice G.Sathpathy, on May 29, 2023, has directed the Secretary of Social Security Administration to immediately appoint an independent Disability Commissioner in the state in 6 weeks and submit the statement. This order of the High Court is being openly violated by the State Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department as well.
Currently, 845 petitions submitted by the Odisha Disability Forum cannot be heard because the officers on duty of the Disability Commissioner are not going to the office of the Disability Commissioner.
As a result, many disabled people are deprived of access to justice and live a life full of despair and misery.
