Bid to hire two PCCFs oncontract raises eyebrows

Nagpur: The move to appoint two retired PCCF rank officers on contractual basis for various works related to working plan, Forest Rights Act (FRA), Indian Forest Act and preparation of forest policy matters has raised eyebrows in forest circles.
Though several retired state forest officials till the rank of divisional forest officers (DFOs) are being appointed on contractual basis in the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM), social forestry, wildlife wing, territorial circles and bamboo board, this is for the first time an advertisement to appoint PCCF rank officials has been issued.
As per GR issued on December 17, 2016, right to appoint retired officials on contract basis, having grade pay above Rs7,600, rests with the state government. PCCF rank officials have more grade pay and hence such a decision has to be taken by the government. However, forest ministry officials say, “They are unaware about such an advertisement being issued. No permission has been taken before releasing the ad.”
APCCF (personnel) AR Mande said, “The proposal will be sent to the state government for approval as per the GR. Though there is no shortage of PCCFs, requirement is there for preparing policy on host of matters like protection, FRA, land issues, working plan etc.”
Forest ministry officials are wary of the PCCF office decision. “Now if PCCFs are being hired on contractual basis, one day the topmost post of PCCF (HoFF) may also go the same way,” they said.
Sources say only up to 10% of sanctioned posts can be adjusted by contractual appointment. While there are total eight posts of PCCFs including FDCM MD, maximum one retired PCCF can be adjusted on contractual basis. So, this is against GR issued on December 17, 2016.
“Till now, in an exceptional case, the government appointed one retired CCF DD Gujela for one year at Kundal Academy of Development, Administration and Management. This was done as we were running short of CCFs and posts were vacant,” they told TOI.
The officials expressed surprise over PCCF office decision and argued that senior officials want promotions and also retired PCCFs to do their job. “It smacks of a negative image about the forest department indicating that are there no competitive and competent officials left that we have to hire retired PCCFs?” the officials said.
APCCF Mande said retired PCCFs are needed to review status of working plans, prepare draft action plan for capacity building, forest resource management, provide expert services in drafting amendments in Indian Forest Act, forest fires and protection among many other policy matters.