They whistle to support their demand for govt. jobs

It was a protest with a difference. Persons with hearing disabilities were out on the streets of Kalaburagi on Wednesday, blowing whistles to draw the attention of the people and the officials to alleged denial of employment to them in government offices and the failure of the government to extend five per cent reservation to them in jobs.

People of the city were taken by surprise when members of the Gulbarga District Association of the Deaf, including women and children, started their procession from Jagat Circle, blowing whistles as they walked. There were no slogans raised as only gesticulations and the shrill noise of whistles filled the air.

Demands

In their memorandum to the District Disability Welfare Officer, the people with hearing disabilities said the government should withdraw the orders of limiting job opportunities to only those with 40 per cent of hearing impairment and extend the job opportunities to persons even with 75 per cent to 100 per cent hearing impairment.

The protesters also demanded the government that the age limit for securing employment be increased to 45 years in the case of hearing impaired.

No restriction

The protesters further demanded that persons with hearing disabilities should be allowed to write the examinations in the language of their choice, and there should be no restriction in writing the examination in one particular language.

The memorandum urged the District Disability Welfare Officer to ensure that five per cent reservation being provided to persons suffering from physical disabilities is extended to all government recruitment, and the vacant posts should be considered as backlog and filled up through a special recruitment drive.