Ranchi: The Ranchi chapter of Haemophilia Society has urged state govt to extend reservation benefits for persons with disabilities (PwDs) to candidates with haemophilia, thalassemia and sickle cell disease during the NEET-UG counselling.In a letter to chief minister Hemant Soren, society secretary Santosh Kumar Jaiswal said the counselling application does not provide an option for candidates with these blood disorders to register as PwDs, although the conditions are recognised as specified disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.Jaiswal said the omission was depriving candidates of admission opportunities in Jharkhand despite their securing good ranks in NEET.“We urge the govt to ensure that such candidates are allowed to participate in counselling under the provisions of the RPwD Act. The Act guarantees equal rights and opportunities to persons with disabilities and provides 5% reservation for them in educational institutions,” he said.The representation follows the Centre’s response to a Lok Sabha question on Aug 4, stating that disabilities caused by blood disorders, including haemophilia, are recognised under the RPwD Act.The Union ministry of social justice and empowerment said persons with disabilities, including those affected by blood disorders such as haemophilia, are entitled to equal rights and opportunities under various provisions of the Act.Jaiswal said the lack of a relevant option in Jharkhand’s counselling form prevented blood disorder patients from identifying themselves as PwDs.“As a result, these candidates are barred from participating in the state counselling process under the PwD category and are forced to opt for national-level counselling instead,” he said.The society has sought immediate changes to the online application form so that eligible candidates can claim the statutory quota during the ongoing admission process in medical colleges across the state without facing further exclusion.
