Team Herald
PONDA: The Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) on Friday gave approval for granting extension in service to Head Clerk Arun Naik on contract basis after retirement on superannuation amid strong objection by the opposition councillors.
The resolution was passed by voting 11 against four votes by raising hands.
Later, Chairperson Vishwanath Dalvi speaking to the media persons said that this would not do any injustice to other employees nor it would affect their promotions as the extension to service of Naik would be on contract basis. The PMC would send the proposal to Directorate of Municipal Administration for government approval.
He said, “This would not affect the prospect of promotions of other employees as we would appoint Naik as officer on contract basis and not as head clerk. Such extensions were also given in the past.”
However, Councillors Geetali Talavlikar and Venktesh Naik strongly opposed the move. Talavlikar said, “Our views are not taken and resolution was passed hurriedly. This would be injustice to the PMC employees who were expecting promotions.”
She stated that in 2015 PMC has taken resolution not to give extension in service to any employees of the council. But the council today superseded it. Further, even the government had taken a decision not to extend services of retiring staff.
She said, “There can be extension in services only if staff is exceptionally performing well and secondly if there is no replacement. Here, 43 employees opposed him (Arun Naik) and there is qualified staff in the PMC to perform job of head clerk.”
She said, “This seems to be special case under political setting. The council has done injustice to 43 employees who opposed to the extension in service of Naik. The head clerk work can be done by any employees and not fit case for extension.”
In the special meeting, discussions were held on the development works and various resolutions were passed.
