A statewide verification drive of disability certificates has been initiated by the Maharashtra government following increasing concerns over the misuse of quotas meant for differently abled individuals. The decision was triggered by allegations against former IAS trainee officer Pooja Khedkar, who was reported to have relied on a fraudulent certificate to obtain benefits under the Divyang quota. Several other complaints suggesting widespread misuse of the system have also been received, prompting urgent corrective action.
An order was issued on September 18 by the Divyang Welfare Department (DWD), mandating the verification of the Unique Disability ID Cards (UDID) of employees across state departments. The directive also included teachers, non-teaching staff, and employees working under Zilla Parishads. As part of the order, it was made compulsory for all departments and councils to conduct verifications and submit detailed reports to the state government within one month.
According to officials from the DWD, suspicions have been raised regarding more than 300 employees who may have secured benefits by presenting fake or invalid disability certificates. The official communication highlighted that under Section 91 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, individuals found with certificates that were either falsified or indicated disability below the required threshold of 40 percent would immediately lose eligibility for benefits. Legal consequences were also specified for those found guilty of exploiting the provisions of the Act.
The letter issued by the department clarified that stringent action would be taken in cases of certificate misuse. It was underlined that legal proceedings could result in imprisonment of up to two years, a financial penalty of as much as ₹1 lakh, or both. This clarification was intended to act as a deterrent to further instances of fraudulent practices within the system.
Tukaram Mundhe, secretary of the Divyang Welfare Department, explained that the verification initiative had been undertaken to ensure that the rights and benefits reserved for differently abled individuals were not diluted by misuse. It was emphasized by him that protection of these rights was central to the department’s role and that strict action would be employed against those attempting to secure undeserved advantages.
Through this verification campaign, the state has sought to uphold fairness in the implementation of the quota system, which is intended exclusively for individuals with genuine disabilities. By identifying and penalising those who misuse the scheme, the government aims to strengthen public confidence in welfare mechanisms while safeguarding resources for those who truly need them.
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