SOs demand job security
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 05 2014:
Lamenting that inspite of over seven years of engagement on contract basis in the Public Works Department 32 Section Officers (SOs) are yet to get job security, the SOs appealed to authorities concerned for service regularisation at the earliest.
According to All Manipur PWD Contractual SOs-II (Civil) Association secretary M Shyamkanhai the works department engaged 42 SOs on contract basis in December 2006 out of which service of 10 has been regularised.
Questioning on what criteria the 32 were left out at the time of service regularisation as they too had fulfilled recruitment norms, he also pointed out that inspite of indifferent attitude of the department authorities the spurned SOs continued to execute assigned tasks.
Further stating that all 32 SOs were assigned engineering responsibilities in the construction of capital project buildings such as the assembly secretariat, high court complex and city convention centre, Shyamkanhai also regretted that contrary to the Association's appeal to the Chief Minister and the Works Minister for service regularisation the State Cabinet on September 2013 decided that SOs too should be subjected to recruitment examination under the MPSC.
Pointing out that the Cabinet decision will be infeasible as most of the 32 SOs would be over-aged, he also expressed strong resentment on lack of clarity in the Cabinet decision with regard to whether there would be age relaxation for these SOs.
Maintaining that monthly entitlement of Rs 4500 paid to the 32 SOs is highly incompatible to meet family expenses, the secretary reiterated the Association's plea for the service regularisation of the SOs.