MES absorption as per rules: Dy Secy
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 16 2023:
Apropos the news item carried by some local dailies on January 16 in connection the press briefing by Manipur Government Services' Federation regarding absorption of 25 officers in MES cadre, deputy secretary (Education-S) Elangbam Sonia has clarified that all due procedures were followed and no rules were violated in absorption of the 25 officers and the Federation appears to have been briefed inaccurately on the matter.
According to Elangbam Sonia, director (Education-S) had on October 4, 2021 proposed to the government for merging 13 Programme Officers (PO) and 12 Assistant Programme Officers (APO) by amending Schedule-I of the MES Rules, 2012 .
The amendment was made keeping in view of the pivotal role played by PO (RTE) and APO (RTE) in implementation of programmes/schemes under Samagra Shiksha such as RTE, NEP, teacher education, residential school, KGBV, pre-primary education, school mapping and GIS mapping, opening of ne^school/upgradation of existing schools.
Further, POs (RTE) have been working in the capacity of district programme manager of SSA and state coordinators of RMSA Manipur since 2010.Considering the nature of job, which is administrative in nature as well as management, they can be fitted in the Manipur Education Service cadre at the MES-11 of Schedule-I of Manipur Education Service Rules, 2012 by way of expansion of MES.
The APOs (RTE) have been working in the capacity of erstwhile additional district programme managers since 2010 and assistant state coordinators since 2012.Considering the nature of job, which is administrative in nature as well as management, their service can be fitted in the MES-III Schedule-I of MES.
The nature of work and responsibility attached to PO (RTE) and APO (RTE) in implementing various programmes and schemes of education (S) department were multi-faceted and these officers are well experienced in implementation of schemes/programmes.
Moreover, these officers would be stagnant without any promotional avenue, if they are not inducted in MES, Sonia elaborated.
Considering the factual positions and keeping in view of shortage of good administrator for school administration and maximum utilisation of officers in position in the department who are capable to be inducted in MES cadre, government placed the proposal before the cabinet as a policy decision for strengthening MES cadre by the way of cadre review.
Accordingly, the state cabinet on January 4, 2021 decided to allow the absorption through Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) by amending MES Rules.
After the cabinet approval and as required, concurrence of the department of finance and personnel were obtained.
Accordingly, the matter was forwarded to MPSC and the latter being constitutionally mandated institution issued absorption order with all due procedures and without any violation of Rules, the deputy secretary added.