By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 23: An RTI report has revealed serious shortcomings in Meghalaya’s implementation of disability rights. Of 115 government offices and educational institutions surveyed, 95 employ no persons with disabilities, while only one has formally implemented the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
The findings have led disability organisations across the state to demand immediate corrective measures. They have warned of statewide protests and indefinite hunger strikes if the government fails to address long-pending employment and accessibility issues.
The report, titled Employment and Reservation Status of Persons with Disabilities in Meghalaya: Right to Information (RTI) Report-2026, was prepared under the leadership of Blind Lead Trust co-founder and managing director Jitendra Dkhar.
Only 20 of the 115 establishments reported employing persons with disabilities. Of the 100 offices that responded on reservation backlogs, 91 claimed a “nil” backlog, raising doubts over whether mandatory reservation rosters have been maintained and unfilled vacancies properly calculated.
The sole establishment found to have formally implemented the RPwD Act is the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Shillong. “The official data proves that departments are claiming ‘nil’ backlog simply because they have refused to maintain statutory rosters or calculate carry-forward vacancies since 1995,” Dkhar said.
The Social Welfare Department, in a letter dated September 28, disclosed that no dedicated government residential homes or vocational training institutions for persons with disabilities were established between June 2018 and March 2026. Information on mandatory accessibility audits of digital welfare portals under Section 42 of the Act was stated to be “not available,” prompting concern over access for visually impaired users and those relying on screen readers.
Regional disparities are also evident. Of the 20 establishments employing persons with disabilities, 16 are in East Khasi Hills. Offices surveyed in South Garo Hills, South West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi reported none.
Disability organisations, along with the State DPO Unit, have submitted a joint charter of demands to the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities. They have sought a retrospective audit of pending reservation vacancies dating back to the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, and continuing under the 2016 law. Other demands include the issue of recruitment advertisements for identified backlog posts within three months, special recruitment drives to fill at least 50 per cent of the pending backlog in every department within six months, immediate implementation and publication of category-wise 100-point reservation rosters, and completion of mandatory digital accessibility audits.
Dkhar alleged that the government has shown little willingness to act despite earlier representations. “If the traditional system of governance only responds when citizens take to the streets, we are prepared to follow all official procedures to launch democratic protests and indefinite hunger strikes,” he said, adding that the state would bear responsibility for any harm or medical emergency suffered by persons with disabilities compelled to protest for their statutory rights.
The organisations have urged the government to act on the findings and ensure effective implementation of employment reservations, accessible public services and other protections guaranteed under the RPwD Act.