Power Dept to recruit candidates after code waiver
VIBHA VERMA
PANJIM: In a rare decision, the Election Commission of India has granted approval for the recruitment of more than 1000 candidates by the Electricity Department even as the election code of conduct is in force.
The Department took special permission for issuing appointing orders for 1159 posts, claiming that the manpower is required for uninterrupted power supply in the State.
EC sources told Herald that the request was initially rejected by the local Chief Electoral officer but later conceded to forward the plea to the Election Commission New Delhi which gave the NOC on March 23 considering the merit of the application.
“The Commission has no objection to the proposal contained therein,” the EC order stated, a copy of which was forwarded to the CEO.
Subsequently, the Office of Chief Electrical Engineer in two separate orders on April 1 and April 2, 2014 released appointment orders and postings of Line Helpers, recruitment for which had begun in April 2013.
A senior EC official disclosed that the recruitments were approved as a rare case as it was related to essential services in the State. We have kept a strict vigil on appointments in other departments which can be used as election bribe, he said.
In their plea, the Power Department had requested to relax the code of conduct for filling the posts while also mentioning that over 500 appointment letters were issued before the code came into force on March 5.
“There recruitment of Line Helpers is extremely necessary for the smooth functioning of the Electricity Department as they are required to perform unique duties entailing physically climbing on electricity poles, repairing electrical wires and connections. The Line Helpers facilitate smooth, uninterrupted and continuous electricity supply throughout the State of Goa,” Chief Electrical Engineer Lekshmanan S had said in a written communiqué to EC.
Lekshmanan also tried convincing the EC that the recruitment process had begun 10 months before even the date for enforcing election code was decided. Advertisements for the posts were released in the local newspapers on April 3, 2013.
Speaking with Herald, a local ministry official said that the shortage of staff could have hit the pre-monsoon services, as the code of conduct will be in force till May 16. “There were transfers before the code of conduct and hence a vacuum was created in many division offices. There was an imbalance of manpower considering the workload as the field work is heavy and lack of employees hamper the work. There would have been transmission and distribution problem,” he said explaining the urgency which led them to approach the EC to facilitate issuing of appointment orders.
The official further said the absence of adequate manpower could possibly have resulted in serious problem in the wake of
the approaching monsoon season which could have ultimately reflected on the quality of power supply and maintenance especially during monsoons.
Two batches of appointees have been asked to report for duty on April 11 and April 15. As per the order, they will be on probation for two years even as their antecedents are being verified.
Four other requests from the departments of health services, public works, Margao Municipal Council and Goa Medical College and Hospital were forwarded to the EC, approvals of which were granted.
While the Directorate of Health had sought permission for opening technical bid for medicines, PWD had asked permission for awarding tender order for Khorjuem Bridge. The MMC had asked for permission for auctioning of ‘sopo’ (market tax) and GMC sought approval from the EC to issue work order of the forensic block.
Interestingly, the CEO office at Altinho has been flooded with applications from various departments seeking permission even for administrative matters. “The code of conduct is being taken seriously so that the government officials do not face the wrath of the EC,” said an EC officer.
A senior EC official disclosed that the recruitments were approved as a rare case as it was related to essential services in the State… we have kept a strict vigil on appointments in other departments which can be used as election bribe
