Imphal, August 18: The first major blow of the state government's policy for downsizing of government departments necessitated by the acute financial problems faced by the state has fallen on the public works department, PWD, with altogether 108 regular posts being axed with immediate effect.

An order in this respect was issued today by the additional chief secretary (works) Saichhuana, in the name of the Governor of Manipur as a first phase in compliance with the government order of July 11, 2001 for downsizing of government departments.

Among the posts axed with immediate effect are two posts of superintending engineers, thirty posts of assistant engineer and assistant surveyor of Works, two posts of assistant architect, seven posts of draftsman grade II, 40 road mohori posts, seven posts of assistant mechanic (stone crusher, water pump/diesel engine/electric generator operator), one post of computer operator, two posts of assistant private secretary, one post of cook cum chowkidar, 13 posts of handyman, one post of wireman, one daftry-cum barkandaz post and one head mali post.

These 108 regular posts were filled up either on adhoc or incharge promotion or appointment basis.

In this regard, adhoc and in-charge promotees are to revert back to their own regular posts.

Adhoc and in-charge appointees will however be deemed as terminated as the posts have been abolished.

As these 108 posts were not filled up on regular basis, they are counted as vacant.

Interestingly, out of the 108, 10 assistant engineers were directly recruited, but their respective posts were rot filled on regular basis.

The appointees affected reportedly include a close relative of a former minister, the son of a high-ranking police officer, and the son of a retired chief engineer.

As per the government order of July 17, 2001, under which altogether 14,385 posts are to be abolished in various departments, a total of 662 posts are to be axed in the public works department.

The 108 posts axed today in the first phase are out of 382 regular posts deemed vacant.

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