TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Future of 417 candidates who were given appointment orders by six government departments after the Election Code of Conduct came into force on December 24, hangs in limbo.
As per Election Commission (EC) guidelines which were received by the local EC office on Wednesday, the appointment orders of 417 candidates are null and void; as they were made after the Election Code of Conduct came into force.
These include appointment orders issued by the departments of police, PWD, co-operation, electricity, Animal husbandry and Veterinary Services and government polytechnic. (see box down).
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday here, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Narayan Navti said the appointment orders given by the six departments after December 24, are null and void in view of guidelines received by them from the Central Election Commission (CEC) on Wednesday.
Following a complaint by Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar about violation of Election Code of Conduct by various departments, who went ahead with recruitments post December 24, it had sought information from 49 departments about appointments made by them between December 20 and December 27, 2011.
There were no appointments in 23 departments while recruitments were made in 16 departments during that period.
He said, in some cases appointment orders were hand delivered and the candidates were asked to resume work immediately.
Herald has also learnt that appointment letters were issued even as some heads of departments of some departments were not in town. Certain department heads attended training programme in Kholapur between December 21 and December 23 and yet appointments were issued during their absence.
Navti also stated that there is provision under the act to initiate disciplinary action against officers if found guilty. “They could be terminated from service or put under suspension,” Navti added.
As per the guidelines received today, the departments will not be permitted to conduct written tests or interviews though fixed earlier, when Election Code of Conduct is in force. Also, predated appointment letters or appointments will not be permitted. If such letters have already been issued, they shall not be given during that period till Election Code of Conduct is in force.
In short, the department will require to keep such processes in abeyance until the elections are over. Fresh guidelines will be sent to the departments seeking compliance report within three days, told Navti.
Departments Candidates joined duty on No of appointments
Police DEC 27 118
PWD Dec 24 21
Co-operation Dec 26 8
Electricity Dec 27 127
Govt polytechnic Dec 26 2
Animal husbandry Dec 24 141
