Soon, multitasking staff to replace Class IV employees

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government will soon replace

class IV

employees with multitasking

staff

(

MTS

). For this, employees will be recruited through an entrance test and will have extra tasks to do for a slightly better grade pay.

Acting upon the budget announcement and in line with the Centre’s policy, the state government will redesignate its cadre of junior-most government employees. On a regular basis, the multitasking staff will have to carry files, keep the office tidy, run errands, fetch tea, etc.

However, they will have additional responsibilities such as maintaining records and entering primary data into computers. These tasks were so far were being carried out only by lower division clerks (LDCs). While those appointed in health centers and hospitals will also have to assist nursing staff, those working in laboratories will have to do duties of a lab assistant. The only class IV post that will not be merged into MTS will be that of sweepers.

The MTS cadre will be recruited through competitive exam under the secretariat subordinate services. The minimum qualification required will be secondary (Class 10) pass with basic knowledge of computers. Currently, even a Class 8 pass out is eligible to become a junior employee in the state government.

Existing class IV employees, who have the qualifications required for MTS, will be automatically be upgraded to MTS. Those who do not have them will be promoted if they meet those requirements.

According to sources, formalities to roll out MTS have been completed and the same will soon be placed before the cabinet. “We expect recruitment under MTS to start by the end of this year. Since it not the creation of a new cadre, the total number of employees will remain the same,” said an official privy to the developments.

“Under MTS, employees will have enhanced job responsibilities than class IV employees, including some basic work done by LDCs,” added the official.

Giving the extra benefit to MTS, the government has proposed to promote 25% of the total cadre as LDCs instead of the existing 15% for class IV employees. The minimum service tenure for promotion is expected to be 25 years.

The proposal has received approval from the finance department has been vetted by the law department. The file will now be placed before CM for approval, and presented before the cabinet at the earliest.