BoF to consider extension to profs with physical disability

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 25

The Board of Finance (BoF), Panjab University (PU), will consider the extension in retirement age — by two years, from 60 to 62 — of Prof Vijay Nagpal on account of him being physically challenged. Once approved, it will benefit other physically-challenged staff also.

The BoF will be meeting on November 28. There are 11 physically-challenged teachers in the PU. Prof Nagpal joined the PU in 1983 and retired on January 31 this year. His lower body is 100 per cent disabled. He gave a representation on August 9, 2016, to the PU for extension by two years.

The PU sought a clarification from the Deputy Secretary, University Grants Commission (UGC), on September 12, 2016, but received no reply. Even reminders were sent on October 19, 2016, and November 28, 2016, but in vain.

Prof Nagpal then filed a Civil Writ Petition (CWP) this year in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where the PU submitted that the case of extension in service for two years would be referred to the BoF, as no reply had been received from the UGC in this regard.

Prof Nagapal submitted that according to a circular of the Centre, the retirement age for physically-challenged persons is enhanced by two years. He claimed that the extension in service has been given as per the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

Prof Nagpal is also citing judgment dated May 25, 2011, of the Punjab and Haryana High Court where two years extension was granted to a physically-challenged employee of the Punjab Government, from 58 to 60 years. Here, a physically-challenged person had sought parity with blind employees in the extension of service which was allowed. “No doubt, in the aforesaid illustrated case, the age of retirement discussed was enhanced from 58 to 60, but following the same analogy, the age of retirement of the applicant herein would automatically stand enhanced by two years from 60 to 62,” said Prof Nagpal in his application. The high court decision was affirmed in the apex court also.

The matter was placed before the BoF on February 13 this year as well, wherein it was resolved to clarify from the Department of Finance, Punjab, if there is a provision to allow persons categorised in such disability to continue the service after retirement.