Job Uncertainty Looms Over 15,000+ Government Employees in Rajasthan as State Orders Fresh Medical Examination

Jaipur:
The Rajasthan government’s decision to conduct fresh medical examinations of employees appointed under the disability quota has triggered widespread concern, with the move likely to affect more than 15,000 government employees across various departments in the state.

According to official orders, all government personnel appointed on the basis of disability certificates—including those recruited 5 to 35 years ago—will now be required to appear before newly constituted medical boards for re-verification. The decision comes in the wake of several alleged cases of fake and suspicious disability certificates detected during recent recruitment drives.

Crackdown After Fake Certificate Cases Surface

Sources in the administration said that the move was initiated after irregularities related to disability certificates were reported in government recruitments. Following this, the Department of Personnel directed all departments to ensure re-medical verification of disability status of employees appointed under the reserved quota.

As per the guidelines, even long-serving employees will have to undergo reassessment, raising fears of job insecurity among those who have been serving the government for decades.

40% Disability Criterion at the Centre of the Issue

Under government rules, a minimum of 40 percent disability is mandatory to avail reservation benefits in government jobs. However, preliminary assessments in several districts have revealed that some employees who were earlier certified with over 40 percent disability are now being assessed with 5 to 7 percent variation, potentially bringing them below the eligibility threshold.

Officials estimate that nearly 70 percent of affected employees fall into this vulnerable range, where even a minor change in disability percentage could put their jobs at risk.

Former RSMSSB Chairman Hariprasad Sharma cautioned that the concerns of legitimately selected disabled employees should not be ignored. He stressed that the government must take expert opinion before arriving at any decision that could jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands.

Employee Anger Over ‘Changing Rules’

The decision has sparked resentment among disabled employees, who argue that instead of a blanket re-examination, the government should focus solely on cases involving fake certificates. Employees contend that questioning the disability status of those who have served honestly for years is unfair and demoralizing.

They further point out that their appointments were made under provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Acts of 1995, 2001 and 2016, whereas the current assessments are being conducted under a 2024 circular, which follows different medical standards. According to them, variations in disability percentage are natural due to changes in evaluation norms over time.

Personnel Department Stands Firm

Despite the criticism, the Department of Personnel has made its stance clear. In its official circular, it stated that strict action will be taken against any employee found to have discrepancies or irregularities in disability certification during re-examination. Such cases will be reported to the Personnel Department and the Special Operations Group (SOG) for further action.

The move has placed thousands of employees in a state of uncertainty, igniting a broader debate over balancing administrative transparency with job security and justice for genuinely disabled government servants.