IMPHAL, September 25: The All Tribal Disables` Union Manipur (ATDUM) has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the attitude of the state Government and concerned department for failing to relax five percent in eligibility criteria and pass mark in Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) for Physically Handicapped (PH) and to open TET examinations centre at district headquarters, said a release of ATDUM.
According to the release, “the eligibility criteria for physically handicapped is fixed to 45 percent and pass mark is 50 percent which is par with the ST/SC categories. There is no relaxation for physically handicapped persons in the eligibility and pass mark for certificates. It is mandatory to have reduction of percentage for eligibility to 40 percent and pass mark to 45 percent in consideration of the handicapped status.”
“As per the notification dated September 7 issued by Secretary, Board of Secondary Education, Manipur, it has been found that the eligibility criteria for appearing in the State Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is fixed on September 29 by relaxing another five percent marks of the Physically Handicapped Persons i.e. 40 percent. However, the time limit is very short for applying the said examination. Normally as per the rule 39 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities,
Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Rules, 1996, at least one month (30 days) clear notice should be given for the physically handicapped persons.”
“The distribution of TET forms from a single centre in Imphal has brought immense hardship and difficulties for people setting in hill areas. The high pricing of the TET forms at Rs 300 per form for the SC, ST, OBC, and PH is also not maintained according to fee rules as the pricing are way out of reach for poor and deprived candidate.”
“If and no corrective measure is taken within one week, agitations under the ambit of democratic will be taken up in the Hill districts of Manipur,” it added.