RTI findings reveal anomalies
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), which has been in the news lately for practices of nepotism, has now been found to have grossly violated norms by resorting to ‘backdoor appointments’.
Documents obtained through a RTI application, filed by a concerned job seeker, have revealed that several Grade IV employees were appointed in the MIDC without any advertisement.
The RTI applicant, who did not wish to be named, had sought details of appointments made in the last two years in the MIDC for several posts – managing trainee, drivers, peons, cleaners and chowkidars.
As per the documents obtained, it was revealed that the MIDC appointed one managing trainee in 2012, two drivers in 2012 and 2013 respectively, two office peons in 2013, a cleaner in 2012 and a cleaner-cum-office peon at Tura Branch in September, 2012.
Surprisingly, all these posts were filled up without any advertisement being issued.
The documents also revealed that the appointments are purely temporary and subject to termination without assigning any reason whatsoever.
The appointments were made on ‘need-base’, the documents revealed.
The RTI applicant, while taking strong note of the facts brought to light by the RTI application, said, “These kinds of malpractices in the recruitment process are the main reason for the failure of the government to give appointments to the deserving job aspirants in the State.”
The RTI activist also said that these backdoor appointments are taking their toll on many unemployed educated youths in the State who have been running from pillar to post to get themselves employed.
It may be noted that last month, hundreds of aggrieved candidates under the Association of Qualified Grade-IV, 2011, East Khasi Hills District, had to taken to the streets and sat on hunger strikes demanding appointment. The agitation was later called off following assurances from the Government.