Dimapur, October 10 (MExN): Twelve engineers from the Nagaland State Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) today issued a statement alleging violation of the Nagaland Government Retirement Act 1991 in the department.
The statement reminded that as per the rule, a government servant has to retire after serving 35 years or after attainment of 60 years, or whichever is earlier.
However, it alleged that two Executive Engineers and four Sub-Divisional Officers (SDO) in the department “are overstaying even after completion of 35 years of continuous service from the date of joining the service.”
The statement was appended by engineers Kegwachu Tep, Kelhousinyu Solo, Sashitsungba, Bendangtoshi, Tareptsungba, N Temsu Pongen, Gaithuyang, Limathung, Chubatemjen, Jongpongyanger, Repalepzuk and Imkongneken.
“All those overstaying officers of the same department joined on February 11, 1983 to their respective posts. In this way those officers who have completed their 35 years of continuous service by a reason of their date of joining are overstaying without retiring from their respective posts,” it said.
This, the engineers said, “has caused severe blow to those junior officials of the same department who deserve to be promoted after the vacation of those posts by the overstaying officers.”
They further claimed that representations by officials deserving of promotion have been met with “a deaf ear.” Terming such action as “highly uncalled for,” the statement said that this situation has affected the legally guaranteed rights of junior officials whose promotions are hampered.
