M’laya House appointments
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: An RTI filed by Bharatiya Janata Party Mahila Morcha (BJP Women’s wing) General Secretary Sabnam Shahi revealed grave anomalies in the appointment of personnel in Meghalaya Houses across the country. Two candidates – Frankie Hek and Bappa Paul – appointed on contractual basis at Meghalaya House (MH), Kolkata are from Pynthorumkhrah Constituency represented by AL Hek who is also the minister General Administration Department (GAD).
The GAD Minister is under the scanner for his alleged involvement in these appointments. “The RTI documents prove that AL Hek is influencing the appointment of staff in Meghalaya Houses,” said a BJP statement here. These candidates are appointed for a period of 89 days in MH, Kolkata.
The RTI reply further revealed that 2198 candidates applied for the post of four lower division assistants (LDA) in MH Kolkata, one for Mumbai and one LDA-cum-Receptionist post in MH New Delhi. The vacancies were later advertised in some local dailies. Interestingly when the RTI applicant sought the list of applicants along with their addresses the Public Information Officer (PIO) replied that the list can only be furnished after the applications are scrutinized. “If the number of candidates (2198) is known then what is the difficulty in providing their names and addresses?” the RTI applicant asked.
To a question asking the date of the written test for the above posts, the PIO evaded a clear answer. He said the date would be notified after the list of applicants has been short-listed. “Scrutinizing 2198 candidates should not take several months,” said the RTI applicant.
It may be recalled that the Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO) had registered its protest against the alleged illegal appointments made by Mr Hek for the various posts of LDA and receptionist at the MHs in Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai.
It may be mentioned that the four Kolkata posts have been lying vacant since October 2010, July, August and September 2011. In case of the MH Mumbai and New Delhi one post each has been lying vacant since July, 2011.
Meanwhile, Mr Hek responded to the allegations saying that a minister can only recommend candidates but finally it is the department which appoints them.
On the contractual appointment of two candidates from his constituency he said, “It is purely a stop gap arrangement.” He further clarified that the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) was asked to conduct the written examinations but since the Commission delayed the process the department was forced to appoint these candidates on contractual basis.
