‘Agnipareeksha for 100th time’: Mumbai PwD doctors oppose order mandating disability re-verification

Right on the eve of the World Disability Day, doctors and senior faculty members with disabilities at government hospitals in Mumbai have raised serious concerns over a directive mandating re-verification and medical re-examination for all disabled government employees, despite their possession of valid, permanent UDID cards.

In a representation to the chief secretary of Maharashtra, Doctors with Disabilities: Agents of Change organisation claimed that a circular issued by the Disability Welfare Department has triggered blanket re-verification across institutions including KEM Hospital and BMC, causing “deep distress” among the affected employees who have served the state for decades.

The doctors’ group described the order as “inconsistent” with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Rules, 2024, and “contrary” to due process under the RPDA Act, 2016. It noted that Rule 8(2) clearly stipulates that only in individual cases where an establishment has specific reasons to doubt the authenticity of a disability certificate, an appeal may be filed before the designated appellate authority, which must then hear both parties and pass a reasoned order.

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“The order is not only violative of the principles of dignity and non-discrimination, but also in conflict with the ethical obligations of medical institutions, which are now being directed to repeatedly examine their own senior colleagues,” the doctors argued. They stressed that the law does not allow a mass medical re-exam of all disabled employees.

Doctors demand withdrawal of directive

The doctors’ body alleges that even senior professors who are 100% disabled, use wheelchairs, or wear calipers are now being asked to undergo invasive procedures such as EMG tests and X-rays.

“This not only undermines the sanctity of the UDID system but also causes profound humiliation and violates the principles of autonomy, nonmaleficence, and justice,” the organisation said.

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The doctors’ organisation has requested the state government to immediately suspend or withdraw the circular, reinstate due process, ensure that medical institutions are not pressured into unethical practices, and hold authorities accountable in cases of fraud instead of punishing employees. It suggested the government focus on identifying cases of fraudulent certificates and strengthening medical boards rather than subjecting genuine employees to "unnecessary" scrutiny.