We did not intend to hurt the official’s feelings. In light of this, we have issued a fresh letter of appointment to Bhati, and the offer still stands: Udai Pratap Singh
In a U-turn on Friday, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) issued an apology and a fresh appointment letter to a differently-abled official a day after he was discharged from duty. The Authority had claimed that he would not have been able to carry out “field work” required for the job.
Rishi Raj Bhati, a Public Relations Officer with Delhi Transco Limited, took charge as the Director of Public Relations for DDA on Tuesday on deputation. Within 24 hours of taking charge, however, the development agency removed Bhati from his post citing his physical disability on Wednesday.
In a fresh letter issued on Friday, DDA stated that the agency had no intentions of hurting Bhati’s feelings, and the decision was reached after consulting with him. The letter further stated that the decision to hire Bhati was made strictly on the basis of documents and CV submitted by his department, which had no knowledge about his physical status.
“...work involves extensive outdoor duties, including physical movement of the officer in various situations. These things were explained to you in a very fair and transparent manner and during our aforesaid interaction, you agreed to our views and you even informed that the post in Delhi Transco Ltd, from where you were relieved, is still vacant as no regular officer has been posted there,” said the letter issued by DDA on Friday.
“The intention was not to hurt the feelings. However, we have issued a fresh letter of appointment to Bhati and the offer still stands,” said Udai Pratap Singh, Vice-Chairman, DDA. The agency has also given Bhati 15 days to join the agency on the same post.
“...it appears that your feelings were hurt by the above action, though it was unintentional and taken with mutual consent. If your sentiments are hurt by DDA’s above action, which was purely unintentional, it is regretted.”
Commenting on the issue, Bhati said that he is yet to take a final decision on the fresh letter of appointment and the apology issued by the agency.
DDA had received the wrath of human right activists on Thursday, who threatened to lead massive protests against the authority for discriminating against a differently-abled official.
A letter undersigned MK Gupta, Commissioner (Personnel), issued by DDA on Wednesday read: “...it is to inform you that the post of Director (PR) in DDA, by nature involves filed works, in which the oficer may have to be present at various sites of DDA, such as demolition sites, DDA parks, DDA sports complexes, bio-diversity parks, etc. This involves extensive outdoor duties, including physical work or involvement of the officer in various situations.”
The letter added: “In view of the above, continuance of Shri Rishi Raj Bhati to the post of Director (PR) on DDA may put him in probable inconvenience and may not be in the interest of DDA also, keeping in view the nature of duties attached to the post.”
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 "Rishi Raj Bhati")
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