Finance department downsizes sanctioned engineering posts, sparks controversy

JAIPUR: The state's finance department on October 6, 2023, approved 1,316 sanctioned posts under the engineering cadre for the rural development and panchayati raj department. However, on October 4 this year, the finance department altered its order, reducing the number of sanctioned posts of engineers in the department to 1,093. It set aside 223 posts for deputation from other departments while classifying the number of posts into six categories.

This has created confusion among officials of the department, as, according to rules, DPCs (promotions) are not done under the department concerned for posts put on deputation. According to officials, the interests of engineers who have been waiting for promotions for four years since 2021 were severely impacted by the fresh order. The situation has arisen where previously promoted engineers may face demotion. The officials demand that the finance dept's order dated October 4 be withdrawn immediately. The copy of the order was accessed by TOI recently.

"DPCs (promotions) are not done for posts put on deputation, which are 223 posts. It is done only for permanent cadre posts. When the finance department earlier approved 1,316 sanctioned posts of engineers, why was it reduced to 1,093 in a year? Out of 502 sanctioned posts of assistant engineers (AENs), 201 posts have been put on deputation. Therefore, 301 posts of AENs will be eligible for DPC under the department. This has led to the possibility of demotion for already promoted engineers of AENs," said an official.

Meanwhile, as per the finance department's order dated Oct 1, 2024, a total of 1,132 positions were approved in the engineering cadre of the watershed development and soil conservation department. An official said, "When the total budget for the rural development and panchayati raj department is Rs 10,000 crore annually, the workforce of the department is being reduced. However, when the total budget for the watershed department is nearly Rs 1,000 crore annually, its workforce is being increased."

Joint Secretary of the panchayati raj department, Ram Narain Badgujar, said, "The DPC of the department has been delayed because of court cases and objections raised on degrees obtained by candidates. We've put up the file with the secretary of the dept. Regarding the finance department's order on the classification of posts, we are conducting an exercise and calculations are being done to see what can be done. No decision has been made yet. We don't know yet if there's a possibility of demotion of an official."