Job scam in Soil and Water Conservation Dept?
SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh on Monday summoned the Soil and Water Conservation department additional director CM Syiem to inquire into the reported interview for the various vacant grade-IV posts which was done without any official sanction.
Sources in the department informed that Syiem told the Deputy Chief Minister that he did not have any information in this regard.
Lyngdoh summoned the official following a report appeared in a section of the press that the interview was conducted without the mandatory official approval.
The Deputy Chief Minister, who holds Soil and Water Conservation portfolio, could not summon the director since he was in Khliehriat on an official tour.
According to sources, the Deputy Chief Minister has asked the Joint Director to meet him on Tuesday in this connection.
The interview, for which no advertisement was issued, was allegedly conducted by a senior official of the department on Friday.
Meanwhile, sources said, “It was not a promotion since the department had never conducted any interview before promotion. All the posts are vacant due to demise of persons or superannuation of staff.”
Sources revealed that a list of nine candidates was prepared for the post of cleaner, peon and driver.
According to sources, the salary is between Rs 17,000 to Rs 18000 per month for peon and driver while the salary for the post of cleaner is Rs 15,000.
Sources informed that the interview board comprises of director, joint director (headquarter) and one joint under secretary.
“Despite the interview board, it is the director who was the sole authority to appoint the Grade IV staff according to his wish,” sources alleged.
While stating that normally, the grade IV post at DSC level are advertised before conducting of the interview, sources however questioned as to that why at the directorate level there was no advertisement for the various vacant posts.
Rowell clarifies: Lyngdoh, meanwhile, clarified that the promotion of peons was carried out after adhering to the norms and not as reported in a section of the press .
Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh further said that applications were also received by the department for the vacant posts of peons.
Lyngdoh said as far as the promotion of the two peons is concerned, the posts are not advertised since promotion is done internally.
He also said that after people came to know that there are vacancies for the post of peons, many have submitted their applications though there were only two vacant posts.
On the news report of mother appearing for the interview of the son, Lyngdoh said that the mother came to submit the application on behalf of her son.