UNION OF INDIA Vs. TARA CHAUHAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) ISSUE notice. Mr. Prashant Singh accepts notice. With the consent of counsel, these petitions have been heard finally.

(2.) THE Union of India and the Northern Railways are aggrieved by the order of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT/ Tribunal) dated 13.03.2014 in O.A. No.467/2014 (hereafter referred to as the "main order"). In the other two petitions, the grievance is in respect of two orders of the Tribunal, which have followed the main order.

(3.) THE respondent/applicants approached the Tribunal complaining that the advertisement issued on 30.12.2013, calling for applications for a total of 5679 vacancies in 13 cadres in the Northern Railways, was contrary to the provisions of the Disabilities Act. It was contended that within the 3% quota earmarked for such candidates (further sub -divided into 1% for the visually handicapped, hearing impaired and orthopedically handicapped each), categories are not being notified appropriately. The specific grievance articulated was with respect to the identification of 100% visually handicapped candidates as ineligible from applying for posts, except that of cook. The relevant provision in the advertisement stated as follows: