Correspondent
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 1
THE Graduate Electrical Engineers Association of Nagaland (GEEAN) and All Nagaland Unemployed Diploma Electrical Engineers Association (ANUDEEA), who launched agitation against the department of Power Friday morning, decided to suspend the stir following reassurance from department officials that their demands will be looked into.Talking to this correspondent, GEEAN president Meshenlo Kath said the GEEAN and ANUDEEA had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Chief Engineer, Power department, with a two-point demand that the department float advertisement of all the vacant posts under it and conduct the exam through NPSC and that no promotion be made from lower grade to JE without maintaining the ratio as per the Engineering Service Rule, 90:10.
On Friday, about 40 members of the two organizations gathered outside the office of the Chief Engineer (Power), Kohima demanding that their grievances be addressed.
It is learnt that the Parliamentary Secretary for Power C. Kipili Sangtam wrote to the aggrieved party, stating that he has discussed the issue with the Chief Engineer and the Commissioner & Secretary of the department.
Kath informed that the Parliamentary Secretary has assured that “the issue pertaining to the advertisement shall be done strictly based on the Engineering Service Rule”. Interestingly, it is learnt that some department officials disclosed to GEEAN and ANUDEEA members that the department was unable to float advertisement due to a pending 2011 court case.
Kath said the letter issued by the Parliamentary Secretary was returned to the Chief Engineer as the associations felt the response was unsatisfactory as it was “too simple” for their demand. “We are seeking clarification on two specific points,” he said.
He also informed that though the associations are suspending their agitation call in view of the Parliamentary Secretary’s response, they will be meeting again at the Chief Engineer’s (Power) office, Kohima on November 11 to check the progress on the issues.
According to GEEAN and ANUDEEA, there has not been any advertisement for the post of JE for the past five years, while RTI report indicated many vacant posts. They also pointed out that as per the Engineering Service Rule, 127 JE posts, out of a total of 141 sanctioned, were to be filled through direct recruitment and only 14 posts through promotion from lower grade to JE, i.e. 90:10 (Direct:Promotion). The organizations are dismayed that that the existing ratio of appointment in the department is 83 promotees and only 49 direct recruitment.
