Amid worries about many unfilled positions in institutes meant for people with disabilities, the government has made progress by filling 47 posts and plans to fill 125 more in the next four months. This information comes from a report presented in the Lok Sabha by a Parliamentary panel focused on social justice and empowerment.

The Union Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry assured the panel that they are working with the Union Ministry of Finance's Department of Expenditure to revive vacant positions, ensuring that the institutes can continue their services effectively and achieve their goals. In the last six months, 47 posts have already been filled, and the remaining 125 will be filled soon. The national institutes have been directed to include information about the sanctioned and actual strength of posts in their annual reports.

The committee raised concerns about the impact of faculty vacancies in these institutes and advised the Department of Expenditure to act promptly in filling the vacancies and prevent prolonged vacancies. The committee recommended conducting a thorough assessment of all vacant posts across the Institutes and Composite Regional Centres, urging the government to fill them as soon as possible. It also emphasized the need for both the central and state governments to be proactive in serving people with disabilities, citing successful efforts by NGOs and private organizations during the committee's study visits. The focus should be on making all the intended Institutes and Composite Regional Centres fully functional.