Madhya Pradesh Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities proposes reforms in recruitment, education, and institutional care for persons with disabilities. Key demands include allowing walk-in interviews, greater weightage for women with disabilities in rural jobs, including them in pre-examination training centers, extending hostel operations year-round, and establishing government-run shelter homes. The push follows the state’s draft of its first disability policy covering education, employment, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, involving over 10 lakh disabled residents.
Bhopal, September 10, 2026
Madhya Pradesh Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Dr Ajay Khemariya has urged Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal to remove restrictions affecting a special recruitment drive for persons with disabilities. He also placed several proposals related to employment, education, hostels and institutional care before the Chief Secretary. The proposals were discussed during a meeting at Vallabh Bhawan in Bhopal. Khemariya said, the Chief Secretary responded positively and assured that the issues would be examined by the departments concerned.
One of the key issues concerned appointments through walk-in interviews. The recruitment process for several candidates with disabilities was nearing completion when the General Administration Department put it on hold. Dr Khemariya sought an early review of the decision. He also called for additional weightage for women with disabilities in the recruitment of Anganwadi workers, mini-Anganwadi workers and helpers. Another suggestion was to include persons with disabilities in divisional pre-examination training centres, which currently support candidates from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Class communities.
Dr Khemariya said, the Chief Secretary responded positively and assured appropriate action on these matters. The functioning of 66 hostels for Children with Special Needs, operated under the State Education Centre, was also discussed. Dr Khemariya proposed that these hostels should operate throughout the year. He also suggested ending the practice of selecting operating organisations every year, as frequent changes could affect continuity. The Chief Secretary assured that the present system and financial provisions for these hostels would be examined. A separate proposal to establish government-run shelter homes for persons with intellectual disabilities in Madhya Pradesh will also be considered.
These interventions come as the state prepares its first comprehensive policy for persons with disabilities. The policy exercise began after Dr Khemariya wrote to Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav seeking a unified framework for disability rights and welfare programmes.
Following a departmental meeting on April 13, the Social Justice and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department issued directions on April 23 to begin drafting the policy. It is expected to cover education, accessibility, rehabilitation, employment, skill development and the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
The initiative assumes importance for nearly 10 lakh persons with disabilities in the state. Suggestions from experts, voluntary organisations and other stakeholders are also being included in the exercise. The state has separately created a Rs 32-crore Divyang Fund to support persons with disabilities in higher education, sports, art and culture. It also seeks to encourage self-employment, entrepreneurship and startups.
The latest meeting has brought immediate concerns such as stalled recruitment and hostel management into the wider policy process. The Chief Secretary also gave directions for stronger implementation of the disability rights law across Madhya Pradesh.