Reserved Seats: Empowering Persons with Disabilities in Statutory Boards

The Madras High Court has called on the Union government and Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities to ensure four percent reservation for Persons with Disabilities in the elected boards of statutory bodies, including the Bar Council of India and the National Medical Council.

This directive is in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by B Rameshbabu, a polio-afflicted individual, who highlighted the lack of representation for disabled persons in bodies like the Bar Council and National Medical Council. The court acknowledged that current laws entitle disabled individuals to representation in many spheres, yet statutory bodies lack such inclusion.

The court noted the Supreme Court's preceding mandate for women's representation and expressed willingness to motivate authorities towards fair representation for the disabled, aligning with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

(With inputs from agencies.)