DoPT asks Ministries to exempt PwD from essential services duty during lockdown

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : As per fresh Office Memorandum (OM) issued by the Ministry of Personnel, all the Ministries and departments have been instructed that while drawing up roster of staff required to attend essential services within their respective Ministries or departments, they may keep in mind that employees who are “Persons with Disability” (PwD) or “Divyangjans” are exempted.

It may be  mentioned here that as per an earlier Office Memorandum issued by DoPT immediately following the imposition of 21 day lockdown, the Heads of Departments (HoDs) were asked to draw a list of staff that are “absolutely necessary” to carry out additional essential services within the department.

Meanwhile, through another memorandum issued by DoPT, timeline for submission of Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) in respect of Group-A officers of Central Services has been extended for the year 2019-20, in the light of the situation arising out of the spread of Covid-19. As per the earlier schedule, the date for distribution of blank APARs to all officers concerned was 31st March 31, 2020, which has now been revised and extended up to May 31, 2020.

Similarly, the date for the submission of self-appraisal by an officer to the Reporting Officer (RO) was  April 15, 2020, as per the earlier schedule,  but it has now been revised and extended up to June 30, 2020, according to a PIB release.

Meanwhile, most of the officials have been asked to  continue to work from home and remain available on telephone and electronic means of communication. They may be asked to make themselves available as and when required.