PM petitioned to probe unlawful appointments
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 12 2024:
Two individuals have submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister, contending that 21 Assistant Engineers were promoted as Executive Engineers without conducting DPC while urging for immediate legal action against the commissioner of water resources department.
The memorandum was submitted jointly by R Peichun (48) and Angom Sarjurani (48) .
A similar complaint was also filed with the state vigilance department by another two individuals, namely, K Konsang Maring (75) and Laishram Purnimashi(62).The memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister accused the commissioner of appointing 21 Assistant Engineers to the post of Executive Engineer in the water resources department, based on a non existent Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC).
It claimed that the appointment order (No 8/51/2017-WR (HC) Pt-l) issued on December 27,2023, was done without any proposal from the head of the department, requisition from the department, and issuance of mandatory public notices.
Furthermore, the memorandum alleged that the appointment order was issued without the knowledge of the chief engineer or the minister concerned while claiming that the appointments were made in the absence of vacancies, resulting in the appointment of non-eligible individuals to the posts of Executive Engineer.
The petitioners asserted that the commissioner's actions amount to fraud, taking undue advantage of his official position, and causing a significant impact on the state exchequer.
The memorandum specified as arbitrary action has eroded public trust and faith in government officials.
The memorandum also referred to a judgment and order dated October 30, 2023, by the High Court of Manipur in WP (C) No 917 of 2017 wherein the Court held that the writ petitioners, who are direct recruit Assistant Engineers, were not eligible for promotion to the post of Executive Engineer in the Department, even at the relevant time of filing the petition.
The petitioners sought a thorough investigation into the alleged malpractices, emphasising the urgency of legal action against the commissioner.