Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, June 26: A sweeping ban imposed by the Government of India notwithstanding, a crucial post in the A & N Police Fire Services Department has been diverted undermining the role of the force that plays first responders to natural disasters. Modernization is undoubtedly imperative for agencies handling disasters; however the lone technical post of Inspector (Store and Workshop) that deals with acquirement of latest machinery to deal with emergent situations, was diverted to favor a police official from the civil cadre (B.Tech in Mechanical) as Inspector (PMT) in the Police Motor Transport Department in the year 2011, notwithstanding the fact that senior competent officials in the Fire department have been in line waiting for years to hold the position.
For reasons best known to the senior brass of the A & N Police, which controls the Fire Services Agency, representations from aggrieved senior officials of the Fire Department have been falling in deaf ears, LG’s HelpDesk included in this context.
In a firm order, the GOI, Ministry of Finance, Dept of Expenditure, No.F-14(14)-E (Coord.) /77 in the year 1977 & Chief Pay & Accounts office circular No: 494 dt 16th May 1990, said that diversion of post within an organization to accommodate an officer awaiting positing from a different cadre is equivalent to the conclusion that the post, for the purpose it was created, has ceased to exist and the diversion is effected to cope with some new item of work notwithstanding the fact that the arrangement is within the same cadre/organization and or/at the same or different stations. Such cases of diversion/transfer/adjustment would amount to creating of new posts and therefore attract ban and require prior clearance from appropriate levels before resorting to such practices.
In the year 2004, the post of Inspector, (Store & Workshop) was created to fill-up a crucial position in the Fire Services Department by the then Lt. Governor of these islands.
However, for the lackadaisical approach of the department for notifying recruitment rules for the post, it remained vacant or temporarily occupied by Incharge staff. Much to the shock of the Fire personnel, the post was diverted to the A & N Police, to favor a officer of the force, as Inspector (PMT).
Pertinent to mention here that prior diversion of the post, the position of Inspector, (Store & Workshop) was held on temporary basis by a pool of competent officers including retired Inspector, R.P. Yadav, Inspr. Arvind Rai, S.S Khan, Inspr. Suresh, Sub-Inspector A Pandey, J. Verma, Bapi Choudhury, Saibal Sinha, Inspector R.K.Singh most of whom were hopeful of their chances to serve the position on a regular basis after promotion.
However, much to their dismay, the technical post was abruptly diverted by the then DGP, as Inspector (PMT) to accommodate a Police official of the civil cadre by ignoring the right of Fire Service Personnel even though it is clearly written in the order that he can be reverted back to SI(Tech) any time, but even after a lapse of 18th month 02 qualified Sub-Inspector S.Kulu & D.Karmakar of Fire Dept. has not been promoted yet.
Records testify that fire personnel have been battling rough conditions, poor promotional avenues, deprived of the 13-month salary benefit; but strived to render services to the best of their abilities till date.
The vital disaster handling agency has been marred by inadequate staff strength, lack of promotions, other facilities, ageing infrastructure etc….. Since the last few decades.
According to information, notification of recruitment rules of about 07 posts is pending with the Administration. Not a single employee of the Fire Department has been promoted for the last eight years. In sharp contrast to the proceedings of the civil police administration, where adhoc promotions are considered in a wide range of posts mainly from Inspr. to Dy.Sp; none of the Fire Services officials have been benefited by adhoc promotions in the last several decades. Moreover, about 110 posts are lying vacant with the department for which no action has been taken by the higher authorities of ANP till date.
When Contacted the Director General of Police, Mr. Sudhir Yadav told Andaman Sheekha is that time to time the department is taking note of all the factors let it be promotional benefits, financial or others. The fire service post revert matter is already in process. We have to look after all the aspects and welfare of the staffs.
Regarding no recruitments in Fire services, the DGP said one has to go and do a research that why no recruitments happened in the fire services, there are many factors like some should be approved by the MHA while for some technical posts there are no candidates available here.
