The Narendra Modi government has issued a clarification on the VRS scheme of the central government employees with disabilities. A central government employee can now have the option to continue in service with the same pay scale and service benefits if turns disabled during its service period.
The latest DoPT order read, "The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. of even no. dated 19.05.2015 on the subject noted above regarding the treatment of VRS notice given by a Government servant on medical grounds or on account of disability.
In this regard, it is stated that the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (PWD Act) has been repealed by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPWD Act, 2016), which came into force on 19th April, 2017. Hence, section 47 of PWD Act, 1995 as stated in DoPT's O.M. of even no. 19.05.2015 is replaced by the provisions of section 20 of the RPWD Act, 2016."
7th Pay Commission: VRS Order For These Central Government Employees, Key Takeaways:
No government establishment shall discriminate against any person with disability in any matter relating to employment: Provided that the appropriate government may, having regard to the type of work carried on in any establishment, by notification and subject to such conditions, if any, exempt any establishment from the provisions of this section.
Every government establishment shall provide reasonable accommodation and appropriate barrier free and conducive environment to employees with disability.
No promotion shall be denied to a person merely on the ground of disability.
No Government establishment shall dispense with or reduce in rank, an employee who acquires a disability during his or her service.
However, it further said that in case a disabled government servant reconsiders his decision and withdraws the notice for voluntary retirement, his case shall be dealt with the aforesaid provisions of Section 20 of RPWD Act, 2016.
If however, in spite of being so advised, such government servant still wishes to take voluntary retirement, the request may be processed as per the applicable rules, it added.