Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 11 November 2023
In a recent development, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the Member of Parliament representing Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has formally requested the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Administration to augment the direct recruitment vacancies for the post of Junior Engineer (Civil).
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, Mr. Sharma emphasised the need to reconsider the current number of vacancies for Junior Engineer (Civil) in the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD). The recruitment process, initiated with a notice dated 16.08.2022 and subsequent addendum No.8060 dated 27.01.2023, aimed to fill 85 posts of Junior Engineer (Civil), among other Group “B” (Non-Gazetted) and Group “C” positions, through an open Recruitment Examination.
Sharma highlighted that the written examination for Junior Engineer (Civil) took place on 26.02.2023, and subsequently Roll Number-wise statement of Marks was published on 19.05.2023. A provisional select list, including 85 provisionally selected candidates and 17 waitlisted candidates, was uploaded on the website on 03.10.2023.
The verification of original documents for the provisionally shortlisted candidates occurred on 19th and 20th October 2023 at the Chief Engineer’s Office, and the final select list is expected to be released shortly.
However, Mr.. Sharma disclosed that several waitlisted candidates approached him with concerns after discovering that, as of now, there are a total of 109 vacant posts for Junior Engineer (Civil), as opposed to the initially notified 85 posts during the commencement of the recruitment process in the first half of 2022.
The Member of Parliament pointed out that the Notice of Vacancy for Recruitment in APWD, dated 16.08.2022, contains a provision (Sl. No. (c) of Note-I) stating that “The number of vacancies is tentative and may increase or decrease at the sole discretion of the A & N Administration.” He argued that invoking this provision would allow the competent authority to review and potentially increase the existing vacancies, providing an opportunity for the waitlisted candidates to secure employment as Junior Engineers (Civil) in the APWD.
Mr. Sharma supported the waitlisted candidates’ plea with the following reasons:
1. Increasing the vacancies would contribute to human resource development, enhancing the efficiency of the department and providing employment to more Islanders.
2. Aligning with the Prime Minister’s directive, all Ministries and Departments are actively working to fill existing vacancies against sanctioned posts in ‘Mission Mode.’ Increasing the vacancies would support the government’s goal of recruiting 10 lakh people by the end of 2023.
3. Over the past several years, many educationally qualified youths have become overaged for public appointments. Increasing vacancies would provide an employment opportunity for waitlisted candidates and others on the verge of exceeding the age limit for appointment.
In conclusion, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma urged the Chief Secretary to exercise the discretion granted in the recruitment notice to increase the direct recruitment vacancies for Junior Engineer (Civil) to the latest available number. He further requested similar considerations for other direct recruitment posts within the A & N Administration, emphasising the importance of providing employment opportunities for the islanders.