Beed: In a major crackdown on the alleged misuse of disability benefits, the Beed Zilla Parishad (ZP) administration has suspended eight primary school teachers after an inquiry revealed that they had availed government concessions by falsely claiming hearing impairment.
The action follows a detailed medical reassessment conducted by the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan), a premier national institution. The re-evaluation found that the teachers’ level of hearing impairment was significantly below the benchmark disability required to qualify for benefits meant for persons with hearing disabilities.
Acting on the findings, Beed Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Jithin Rahman ordered the immediate suspension of the eight teachers and directed the initiation of departmental enquiries against them.
Officials said government employees with certified disabilities are entitled to several concessions, including reservation benefits in direct recruitment, preferential transfers and promotions, additional travel allowance, professional tax exemption, and income tax concessions.
However, the administration received multiple complaints questioning the authenticity of disability certificates and Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards submitted by certain teachers and employees.
Following directives from the State Department of Disability Welfare, the education department initiated the verification of disability certificates under the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Under Section 91 of the Act, fraudulently availing benefits meant for persons with disabilities attracts punishment of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, or both.
Based on the complaints, the suspected teachers were referred to the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for a fresh medical examination and reassessment of disability percentage. The institute’s hearing evaluation reports confirmed that the teachers did not meet the prescribed criteria for hearing disability as claimed.
The suspension orders state that the teachers allegedly misrepresented their disability status and unlawfully availed benefits reserved for eligible persons with benchmark disabilities, resulting in financial loss to the government.
The teachers suspended after the inquiry were Machhindra Sadashiv Waghmare from ZP Primary School, Agarnandur, Georai tehsil (moderate hearing loss); Santosh Kisan Sonawane from ZP Primary School, Khandekar Vasti, Centre Pali (moderate hearing impairment); Dadasaheb Nanasaheb Pawar from ZP Primary School, Wadar Colony, Ambajogai (hearing sensitivity within normal limits); Vilas Ramrao Machwe from ZP Primary School, Pimpala (Dhayguda), Ambajogai tehsil (moderate loss in left ear, mild loss in right ear); Vikas Ramrao Machwe from ZP Primary School, Tilaknagar, Karkhana Centre, Ambajogai tehsil (moderate loss in left ear, mild loss in right ear); Yuvraj Chandrabhan Lamb from ZP Primary School, Hanumant Pimpri, Kalegaon Centre, Kaij tehsil (moderate loss in left ear, mild loss in right ear); Shivaji Desu Chavan from ZP Primary School, Jodwadi, Ambajogai tehsil (hearing sensitivity within normal limits); and Ambika Baliram Bagade from ZP Primary School, Lonighat, Chausala Girls Centre, Beed tehsil (hearing sensitivity within normal limits).
Officials said a detailed report has been submitted to the Commissioner for Disability Welfare, and further investigations are underway to identify additional irregularities.
CEO Jithin Rahman said that a total of 35 teachers claiming disability benefits were directed to undergo medical examinations at the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute. “Eight teachers have completed the medical examination so far, and all eight were found to possess invalid disability certificates," he added.
