Equal Opportunity Policy - India Tourism Development Corporation - The Ashok Group of Hotels

Equal Opportunity Policy

TITLE AND COMMENCEMENT

This policy shall be called “ITDCs Equal Opportunity Policy”. It shall come into force with immediate effect.

OBJECTIVE

ITDC is committed to fostering a barrier-free, inclusive and conducive environment for the growth and development of persons with disabilities, in accordance with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 as well as relevant guidelines issued from time to time. The Equal Opportunity Policy is subject to applicable regulations, qualifications, and merit of the individuals concerned.

COVERAGE

This Policy applies to all ITDC employees (regular, probationary, contractual) with disabilities under employment in ITDC and shortly extend to candidates appearing for the appointments, recruitment as well as employees acquiring disability during service. It governs the full employment cycle—recruitment, working conditions, appraisal, promotion, transfer, training, wages, benefits, and facilities—ensuring equal opportunity and inclusivity across all stages of engagement.

DISSEMINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY

  • The designated official of the Company shall ensure for the dissemination of this policy. He/she will ensure that all employees are aware of the Equal Opportunity Policy and knows their duties and right in relation to the policy. The Company shall maintain personnel records in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
  • Provisions shall be incorporated in various guidelines, procedures and policy framework to give effect to the requirements as given under relevant statutes/law.

RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS

Company is committed towards eliminating all forms of discrimination and harassment, whether direct or indirect, of persons with disabilities.

Further, in line with the provisions in the Act and the Rules, the company has implemented the following policy provisions in order to provide affirmative action and promote inclusive growth of Persons with Disabilities in Company.

RESERVATION IN APPOINTMENT

ITDC shall not discriminate against any person with disability in any matter relating to employment.

MANNER OF SELECTION

ITDC shall adopt a transparent selection process based on merit and without any bias to the disabilities of the prospective candidates as per the provisions of ITDC Recruitment Policy and Procedures. Candidates with necessary disability certificate issued by the competent authority in accordance with the Rules under the Act shall be considered for appointment in the Company.

POST-RECRUITMENT AND PRE-PROMOTION TRAINING

ITDC shall impart post-recruitment induction training program and pre-promotion job specific inclusive training programs to employees with disabilities along with other employees.

ACCESSIBILITY

  • ITDC shall provide appropriate barrier free and conducive environment to employees with disability wherein accessibility provisions such as ramps, accessible parking, accessible toilets, braille symbols and auditory signals in elevators etc. are incorporated.
  • ITDC will endeavor to provide suitable facilities and amenities to persons with disabilities for effective and efficient discharge of their functions, special furniture, wheel chairs, software scanners, computer and other hardware, etc. in accordance with their requirement.
  • ITDC will endeavor to ensure that persons with disabilities are enabled to participate in meetings in a convenient mode of communication.

DISCRIMINATION FREE WORK ENVIRONMENT

ITDC will ensure that the work environment is free from any discrimination against persons with disabilities. Promotion to an employee should not be denied merely on the ground of disability.

ITDC shall not dispense with or reduce rank, of an employee who acquires a disability during his or her service. Cases shall be treated as per the applicable service rules in ITDC Service Rules.

TRANSFERS AND POSTING

  • ITDC shall supportively consider, to the extent possible, the transfer requests or preferred place of posting of employees with disabilities or those being caregivers of dependent family members with disabilities residing with the employee, so as to optimally utilize their services.
  • As far as possible, disabled employees and those who are care givers of disabled dependent family members shall be exempt from the provisions of rotational transfer subject to the administrative constraints.
  • The above provisions shall however be subject to the mode/nature/terms and conditions of the engagement of the individual and administrative feasibility.

TRANSPORT ALLOWANCE

The physically disabled employees in ITDC are provided transport allowance at double the normal rates in terms of the Order No. HRM/ATA/PH/2025 dated 11.11.2025 and relevant DPE guidelines, as may be amended from time to time.

LIAISON OFFICER

A liaison officer has been designated to address all grievances or complaints regarding discrimination from an aggrieved person on ground of disability and shall ensure compliance of guidelines/instructions issued for Persons with benchmark disabilities.

The liaising officer shall be the nodal point for receiving and disposing of all grievances filed under this policy. The Officer will promptly, thoroughly, and fairly investigate every issue that is brought to its attention in this area and will take appropriate corrective action and will also look after the recruitment of persons with disabilities and provisions of facilities and amenities for such employees.

AMENDMENTS

The above provisions of the scheme can be modified, altered, relaxed or amended at the discretion of the Chairman & Managing Director/MD.

This issues with the approval of MD, ITDC.

********************

X