Members of All-Orissa Students’ Union of the Visually Impaired address a news conference in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Sept 4: The All-Orissa Students’ Union of the Visually Impaired has demanded a CBI inquiry into alleged “fake affidavit” and “fraudulent advertisements” published by school and mass education department for a special recruitment drive meant for persons with disability.

In the first week of August, the school and mass education department had brought out advertisements for engagement of blind persons as science teachers. As many as 131 posts were advertised that required an eligibility of ISc, CT (Plus Two science with certified training) or BSc with BEd.

“As per norms of Orissa education system, visually impaired students are not allowed to pursue science from Plus Two level. The state is yet to produce a single science student from among the visually impaired. These advertisements, therefore, do not make any sense,” said Lekha Ram Bhoi, secretary of the union.

The union also blamed school and mass education secretary Aparajita Sarangi of submitting a “false affidavit” before high court on August 5 , which said that as many as 115 ISc, CT visually impaired candidates have been appointed against the earlier advertised posts.

“Where did they get the students with such qualifications?” asked Bhoi, alleging that there was a “huge fraud” in recruitment for the posts.

“It only confirms the fact that a lot of normal candidates are getting into these posts with the help of fake disability certificates while the genuine ones are being deprived. We demand a CBI inquiry into these appointments,” said Bhoi.

The union demanded that the same posts should be converted into BA, BEd or IA, CT.

Students also alleged that the training centre for teachers of the visually impaired at the State Institute for Rural Development (SIRD), which was set up as a joint venture between the state govern ment and the central government, was lying non-operational.

“The institute is all set to celebrate its silver jubilee this year. But, the stark reality remains that neither classes are held there nor are basic facilities, such as hostels and toilets, available. Worse still, there is no reservation for the visually challenged students,” said activist Sanyas Behera, demanding 50 per cent reservation for the visually challenged at the training centre.

The State Talking Book Centre, which receives a grant of Rs 3 lakh per annum for production of talking books for visually challenged students pursuing higher education, is lying defunct from day one, alleged one of the students.

“We are sure that the grants are grossly misappropriated. There should be a proper investigation into it,” said Bijay, a student.

The union sought immediate consideration of their demands by the state government, failing which they would to go on strike from September before the SIRD office.