CHANDIGARH, Aug 13 — The state commission for persons with disabilities has fined the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) ₹10,000 for failing to comply with its directive in a dispute concerning the rights of differently abled employees.
The case involved the appointment of Sandhu as consultant of PGIMER’s special cell, allegedly in violation of Department of Personnel and Training instructions. After hearing complaints, the commission had ordered his removal, citing a “crisis of trust.”
Despite this, PGIMER reappointed Sandhu on July 26. At an August 7 hearing, the commission advised the institute to withdraw the order or obtain a fresh one aligned with its directives. The matter was adjourned for a day, but no PGIMER representative appeared on August 8.
Commissioner Madhavi Kataria, empowered under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which grants the commission powers equivalent to a civil court, imposed the fine for non-compliance and directed PGIMER to submit a compliance or action-taken report within 15 days.
Established in 2016, the state commission became fully operational in October 2024 with the appointment of a regular state commissioner. Similar commissions function independently in all states and Union Territories.
