Central government has decided not to accept voluntary retirement (VRS)

Do not accept VRS of disabled employees: Government

New Delhi: Central government has decided not to accept voluntary retirement (VRS) notice of its disabled employees in reference to Supreme Court order in the case Bhagwan Dass & Anr Vs Punjab State Electricity Board.

The Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act, 1995, states that no establishment shall dispense with the services of a disabled employee.

“It has been decided that whenever a government servant seeks voluntary retirement citing medical grounds or due to disability, administrative authorities shall advise him or her about the option of continuing in service with the same pay scale and service benefits,” said Office Memorandum F.No.25012/1/2015-Estt (A-IV) dated May 19 issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

“If however, despite being so advised, such government servant still wishes to take voluntary retirement, the request may be processed,” it added.

The DoPT said in this order that no establishment shall dispense with or reduce in rank an employee who acquires a disability during service.

“No promotion shall be denied to a person merely on the grounds of disability,” Office Memorandum says.

“It has been noticed that in many instances, persons suffering from physical or mental disability seek voluntary retirement owing to inability to attend to duty and not being aware of the protection afforded to them by the PWD Act” the Office Memorandum added.

According to the Office Memorandum, all the ministries, departments, subordinate offices, central public sector undertakings and autonomous bodies are requested to inform disabled employees about the protection available to them under the PWD Act and must be encouraged them to continue work instead of taking VRS.
TST