By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Irked by the failure of the Government to revoke the extension of the service of the State Sports Council Chief Engineer W Kharmalki, the KSU and FKJGP members locked the former’s office on Tuesday afternoon.
The Government had extended the service of Kharmalki, who was supposed to retire on July 31 last, for two years.
But after stern opposition, the Government reduced the extension by a year.
“We were waiting for the Government to completely revoke the extension of Kharmalki’s service. But after seeing the adamant attitude (of the Government) we are compelled to take this drastic action of locking the office of the Chief Engineer,” KSU organising secretary, Bansharai Warjri told reporters after locking Kharmalki’s office which is housed at U Tirot Sing Syiem Indoor Stadium at Lauchaumiere.
Warjri further said that it is totally unjustified for the Government to extend the services of an officer who has already retired.
“This decision only suggests that the Government does not have any engineer at its disposal who could replace Kharmalki. It also conveys the impression that there is no other competent technical staff in the Government,” the KSU leader said.
However, a few minutes later, police destroyed the lock and re-opened the office.
“The lock was broken and the office of the engineer was opened,” East Khasi Hills SP M Kharkrang said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Sports and Youth Affairs Bindo M Lanong continues to back the decision of the Government to extend the service of Kharmalki.
“The State Sports Council still requires the service of an experienced person like Kharmalki since they are many important projects in the pipeline. We are not doing anything which is unprecedented,” Lanong said.
He informed that the State Sports Council is an autonomous body like other Boards and Corporations of the Government.
“The Council has its own Employee Service Rules and bye-laws. The services of various officers attached to different Boards and Corporations are regularly extended,” Lanong said, adding that the Cabinet recently had extended the services of the incumbent director of Sainik Welfare Board, Brigadier William Sturgeon for another three years.
Earlier, while asking the government to revoke the decision to extend Kharmalki’s service, the KSU said that it cannot accept the extension of service to people who have already reached retirement age.
KSU had also written to the state government on the issue.
It is also learnt that the service of Kharmalki was extended sans mandatory approval of the Cabinet.
Recently, chief secretary WMS Pariat said that Cabinet approval is mandatory for extension of service to any government official.
He however informed that the Cabinet has not given any approval to extend the service of Kharmalki.
Stating that rules allow the state government to extend the service of any officer if it felt necessary, Pariat also said that certain mandatory procedures have to be followed.
“The proposal for extension of service to any officer has to be first examined by departments like personnel, finance and planning. After examination by various concerned departments, the matter is brought before the Cabinet for its final approval,” Pariat had stated.