Khushi Gupta
Published on: April 27, 2022 at 17:44 IST
The Delhi High Court directed the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment to ensure appointment of Full-time Chairperson and CEO to the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities.
A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla observed that vesting of the said positions as Additional Charge would certainly impact the working of the said institution.
The Petitioner submitted that the post of Chairperson has been lying vacant since 2014. The Counsel for the Respondent on the other hand submitted that additional charge of the post has been given to Secretary, Department for Empowering Persons with Disabilities.
The Respondent submitted that the erstwhile CEO vacated office on February 28, 2022 where after, Additional Charge has been given to the Deputy Director General, Department for Empowering Persons with Disabilities.
The Petitioner then informed the Court that the Act contemplates a National Trust and Monitoring Committees at both State and District level. However, at the District Level, only District Magistrate is running the Committee.
The Court then Ordered that Respondent to a file Status Report, disclosing the Constitution of Local Level Committees in all the Districts of India.
It is also directed to indicate whether the guardians appointed under the Act have been filing their quarterly Reports.
The matter will next be heard on 30 August.