Parsekar hints at reviewing Parrikar’s decision to appoint bank clerk as Disabilities Commissioner.

O' Herald: Panjim: Tuesday, June 7, 2016.

PANJIM: Reacting to the story exposing the appointment of the Commissioner to the State Disabilities Commission, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar reacted in ‘WhatsApp’ style by raising his thumb when asked if he would review this completely out of turn and irregular appointment, which is glaringly short of procedure.

Minister for Social Welfare Mahadev Naik said he hadn’t read Herald’s report on Monday’s edition, headlined “Bank clerk appointed as Chief of State disabilities”. The minister for Social Welfare said he had not read the report and would get back to Herald on Wednesday. Naik restrained from further comment to queries raised by Herald.

Her appointment was done inspite of the Social Welfare Secretary noted, after then CM Parrikar’s decision to appoint her by stating, “we need to follow the proper procedure in terms of the state statute and then proceed.”

However, Commissioner of Disabilities Anuradha Joshi, speaking to Herald on the phone, said that any facts may be verified with the department instead of calling her.

“I would not like to comment on the appointment, you inquire with the department. I know I have honestly worked for the disabled since I have taken charge,” Joshi told Herald.

However, she was unable to give a satisfactory answer as to whether she had applied for the post and when the application was sent to the department. Social Welfare Department under the RTI Act had replied that they don’t have any details with them regarding Joshi’s appointment.

When questioned on Monday whether the appointment will be reviewed, the Chief Minister just showed the thumbs up sign to the Herald correspondent and moved ahead.

Herald in its Monday edition had exposed on the front page how the BJP-led government had appointed Joshi, a bank clerk, as Disabilities Commissioner without following the recruitment process as per law.

Documents sourced under RTI reveal that the appointment has been done based on the notings of then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.