Rights panel takes note of blind KEM Hospital social worker’s plight

The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) has taken note of a complaint filed by a visually challenged social worker from KEM Hospital, who had alleged that the biometric attendance system in place was impacting his work and having an adverse effect on his leave and pay as well.

The complainant, Subhash Salve, a medical social worker from the civic-run hospital, had written a letter to the municipal commissioner, dean of the hospital and the human rights commission, alleging loss of pay due to time spent on the biometric network. Salve alleged that the biometric machine is located in a different building from the one in which he works. And the time spent traveling from one to the other means he is late on most days, resulting in pay being docked.

Following this, the human rights commission had called the KEM Hospital dean and the municipal commissioner for a hearing in mid-November. The next hearing will take place on December 18. Meanwhile, the authorities are looking into the matter, and will submit a report on the cancellation of Salve’s leave at this hearing.

“I am glad the human rights commission has taken note of my troubles. I face a lot of difficulties trying to reach office on time. I mark my attendance on time, but the 5-10 minutes it takes me to walk to the other building makes it an issue. The attendance system isn’t disabled-friendly,” he rued.

After Salve had written to the hospital authorities in October, the previous dean, Dr Avinash Supe, had said the complaint was forwarded to the HR department and they will investigate further.