The State Social Security Department defies SC order and does not appoint a Special Disability Commissioner

The State Social Security Department of Odisha blatantly defied the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court Special Disability Commissioner not appointed by 31 August 2023.

The Odisha government openly violated the Hon’ble Supreme Court by not appointing a Special Disability Commissioner in the state even after 4 weeks passed since August 31. As a result, there has been intense dissatisfaction and anger in the intellectuals and advocates of the state.

Odisha Disability Forum presented a strong demand to appoint a Special Disability Commissioner in the state as soon as possible without waiting for the retirement date of any specific government official and without neglecting the best interest and protection of the rights of the disabled.

After hearing another public interest case brought by the Odisha Association for the Blind, the bench consisting of the Chief Justice of Odisha, Justice S Muralidhar and Justice G. Sathpathy, on May 29, 2023, directed the Secretary of Social Security Administration to immediately appoint a Special Disability Commissioner in the state in 6 weeks and submit the statement.

The State Social Security Department is openly violating the Hon’ble High Court’s order. As a result, 845 petitions submitted by the Odisha Disability Forum are pending due to officers not attending the office. This has left many disabled individuals without access to justice.