Porvorim, July 11: The Goa Legislature Secretariat has categorically denied allegations that it violated reservation norms for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in its recent recruitment process, asserting that no reservation benefits have ever been denied to eligible PwD candidates.

The clarification was issued in a detailed report submitted by the Joint Secretary of the Goa Legislature Secretariat to the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities. The report was forwarded to complainant Atmaram Gadekar of Parra by the Commissioner’s office.

The complaint alleged denial of reservation benefits to Persons with Disabilities and questioned the issuance of a fresh recruitment advertisement for the post of Under Secretary without disclosing the status of the earlier PwD roster point.

In its response, the Legislature Secretariat stated that it has consistently protected the interests of persons with disabilities and has provided equal opportunities in accordance with the applicable recruitment rules and reservation policies.

The Secretariat pointed out that the only PwD employee in the department had been promoted from Junior Assistant to Assistant, Senior Assistant and later as Section Officer in accordance with the prescribed recruitment rules and the PwD roster. It clarified that the employee was not promoted to the post of Under Secretary because he did not possess the legal qualifications prescribed under the Recruitment Rules for that post.

The report further stated that the Goa Legislature Secretariat functions as an autonomous constitutional institution under Article 187 of the Constitution of India, independent of the Executive, and conducts recruitments strictly under the Goa Legislature Secretariat Recruitment and Conditions of Service Rules and reservation guidelines.

According to the Secretariat, an earlier direct recruitment process initiated in August 2024 was subsequently scrapped by the Goa Legislature Board, while the promotions initiated thereafter were also rejected by the then Governor.

The report states that there are currently three vacant posts of Under Secretary. It clarifies that the operative roster point for promotion is earmarked for the Scheduled Tribe category, while the first two posts under direct recruitment fall under the Unreserved (UR) category, in accordance with the applicable roster maintained by the Secretariat. Accordingly, the recruitment advertisement issued on June 1, 2026, was released following the prescribed reservation roster.

The Legislature Secretariat also informed the Commissioner that updated and certified copies of both the direct recruitment and promotion rosters, certified by the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, have been submitted for scrutiny.

Reiterating its stand, the Secretariat maintained that there has been no denial of reservation benefits to Persons with Disabilities and expressed confidence that the detailed report would clarify all issues raised in the complaint before the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.