The State government seems to be in no hurry to publish the seniority list and effect promotions for its general category employees. The Supreme Court’s deadline to do so ends in two days.
While several departments are yet to publish the full seniority list, the government is still “in touch with its lawyers” to plan the future course of action when the Supreme Court is expected to take up the issue on the contempt petition next week.
The government recently passed a Bill allowing reservation in promotions to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in government posts. It is aimed at circumventing an apex order that shot down reservation in promotion in February 2017. In January 2018, the SC gave the government time till March 15 to redraw the seniority list.
“Though departments have been given written reminders and over phone, the list is still incomplete in four to five departments. Seniority list has not been drawn in some cadres. In fact, we are awaiting the government’s decision to take future action,” an official said.
The SC, during an earlier hearing, had set March 15 deadline for the government to publish the list and effect promotions after Government sought additional time.
However, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra told The Hindu: “The seniority list is ready with the government. Almost all departments have kept the list ready. Meanwhile, the Bill on consequential seniority, which has been sent for President’s assent, is still pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs.” The Minister was noncommittal on whether the government would be seeking a further extension. Meanwhile, a February 28 circular that bars promotion across all departments till March 15 has ruffled general category employees further. Instead of promoting officials, the government has invoked rule 32 of the Karnataka Civil Services Rules that provides for filling up posts under independent charge. This is the third time since the SC ruling that the circular has been issued extending time for effecting promotions.
Shivaprakash, General Secretary of KPTCL General Category Employees Association, “For nearly one year, government has not effected any promotion citing the Supreme Court order. In fact, publishing of seniority list should have effected changes in the cadre through promotions to eligible general category employees. Even that has not been done. All these show that the Government is not keen on implementing the Supreme Court order.”
According to M. Nagaraj, President of Ahimsa (an Association of Minorities, Backward and General Category, State Government, Boards, Corporations Retired and Working Employees) with promotions on hold, departments have started process for adhoc promotions under Rule 32, which means the officer instead of being promoted is being given in -charge designations. “This is in violation of the 2017 February Supreme Court order. Since the court order, Government has been stalling promotions.”
Thirteen reminders
All government departments have received 13 reminders on compiling the seniority list. A letter dated February 20 to all departmental heads, sent by Additional Chief Secretary, says it is the 13th reminder on the contempt proceedings in Supreme Court. It further states it is “very urgent.” The letter points to the SC deadline of March 15, and seeks a report from all departmental heads to provide the list. Interestingly, the 13th reminder sent on Feb 20 had asked departmental heads to furnish details before February 20.
