Hiring, promotions dilemma costs 35,000 employees dear

BHOPAL: The state government’s feetdragging over promotion and recruitment has come as a setback for more than 35,000 employees who have superannuated without any promotion in the last 15 months. For all such decisions, the government is waiting for the Supreme Court directives on ‘reservation in promotion’ case which is scheduled for next hearing is on August 10. The government’s dilemma over promotions has severely affected work in Mantralaya as in the absence of permanent employees, vacant posts are being filled up by ad-hoc or temporary staff, making it difficult for officials to manage important policy decisions.
“Reservation in promotion has become a big issue among employees as it is hampering their career. The matter is pending in the court since 2002. This has resulted in a loss for more than 35,000 employees who are superannuated every year without and promotion or benefit”, Laxminarayan Sharma, convener of employee union told TOI.
“Those appointed on ad-hoc or temporary positions are not able to take decisions in the interest of the government and the public. One of the reasons behind failure of most of the welfare schemes”, Sharma said.

Sources said that state government is trying to make changes in service rules on reservation in promotion, which would enable it to amend the existing policy to allow reservation in promotion of selected employees, which is not in practice in other states. The reservation issue has turned into a political decision with the ruling government aiming for its target voters and to strengthen its dedicated vote bank, added sources in the Mantralaya.
“We will approach the apex court with the reservation in promotion issue and the government will pursue the case in the interest of SCs-STs employees”, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had announced during a meeting of reserved category employees recently.
A recent survey conducted by general administration department (GAD) revealed that despite government claims on shortage of reserved category employees, it was found that the number of such employees constitute 87% of posts like deputy secretary, secretary and equivalent positions.
The disparity continued on other posts too.”GAD had prepared a report till April 1, 2017 on the position of reservation in Mantralaya which reveals that representation of reserved employees on posts of deputy secretary and additional secretary is 87% and 82% respectively. The report has been submitted in the Supreme Court”, said a senior officer in GAD.