Bio-data of Shri P.k. Pincha

Brief about Shri Prasanna Kumar Pincha

The Government of India had appointed Shri Prasanna Kumar Pincha as the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities for a tenure of three years. Shri Pincha worked as Chief Commissioner from 28th December, 2011 to 27th December, 2014. It goes without saying that it is for the first time ever that a person with disability was appointed as the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in the country. Incidentally, the post of Chief Commissioner is equal in rank with Secretary, Govt. of India.

A Disability Rights Activist of caliber that he happens to be, Shri Pincha is blind since his birth. Shri Pincha is a former Founder Principal of the Government Institute for the Blind in Jorhat, Assamwhere he had rendered honaray services for sometime before the said Institution was taken over by the Govt., Former Joint Director of Social Welfare of Government of Assam, Former Regional – Senior Manager of ActionAid (an international NGO) of the North-East of India and a Former Senior Manager-cum-National Theme Leader looking after ActionAid’s work on the United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He was also associated with the National Human Rights Commission as its Special Rapporteur (Persons with Disabilities) prior to assumption of charge by him as the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities. Currently also, he is associated with the National Human Rights Commission as its Special Rapporteur for Persons with Disabilities. He also headed another statutory body, namely, the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and multiple disabilities as its Chairperson. Thus, he is so far the only person with disability in the country to have headed two statutory bodies.

A Law Graduate and a Masters Degree holder in English, Shri Pincha is particularly known for his legal and judicial advocacy. He is also the recipient of a National Award of Best Employee (Visually Disabled) in the year 1999 instituted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India and given away by erstwhile President of India.

In addition to championing the cause of rights of persons with disabilities all his life, he also has a track record of working with other poorest and the most marginalized groups, more particularly, during his association with ActionAid. Undeterred by his blindness, he had worked in the most difficult terrains of the Northeastern region of the country with the poorest and the most marginalized communities.
He worked in various capacities; and his work is widely recognized and valued.
During his tenure as Chief Commissioner for Persons with disabilities, Govt. of India, Shri Pincha’s contribution to the disability sector is also highly appreciated and recognized at regional, national and international level. He never allowed his disability to come in his way to work for the benefit of persons with disabilities and for the larger society or to achieve his goals. His selection to the post of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities was based purely on his merit. The entire community of persons with disabilities appreciated the decision of the government. The orders passed by him in his capacity as the Chief Commissioner will have far-reaching and positive implications on the lives of persons with disabilities.