PANAJI
Despite a clear assurance not to encourage “service extensions”, the Pramod Sawant-led government seems to be fond of retaining services of senior staffers, beyond their stipulated retirement justifying that there are “no” eligible officers to fill up the post. Currently, as many as 13 senior officers are enjoying service extension beyond their superannuation.
As per the data available from the Personnel Department, there are 13 staffers whose services are extended and the same are set to end in October, November, December and January, 2025, respectively. However, what is interesting to note is that, until now, the government or the concerned Ministry is yet to find their replacement.
The Public Works Department (PWD) accounts for maximum number of four officers on service extension, including chief engineer Uttam Parsekar, who is on his second extension. As per information, the PWD has informed the government that there are no eligible officers at the lower rank to be promoted as Chief Engineer or to the post of Superintendent Engineer (Sanjay Bhakle- who is currently holding it with extension) or executive engineer (Div VIII) (Sadhana Shet- service extension).
Datta Naik, Assistant engineer, whose service extension is set to end on December 31, will be replaced by his junior Ramesh Madkaikar.
In PWD, the extension period of seven engineers ended in July-August and the same are yet to be filled. The extension of services include that of executive engineers and superintendent engineers.
While service extension of three engineers, attached to Water Resources Department, ended last month, the Chief Engineer Pramod Badami is currently enjoying the third extended term and the same is due to lapse on November 30. However, the department in its report has said that there are no eligible officers available for promotion as per Recruitment Rules, as on date.
The Chief Town Planner Rajesh Naik’s service extension is set to end on October 31 and according to the department no eligible candidate is currently available in the feeder grade for promotion to fill the post.
The other top officials include Director of Directorate of Planning and statistics Vijay Saxena and Director of Technical Education (DTE) Vivek Kamat. According to the government, the services of these officers are extended in public interest and that they have got vast knowledge and experience regarding important/ urgent/ time bound matters pertaining to their departments.
There are also two officials on extension in Personnel Department, one each in Directorate of Mines and Geology and Electricity department and one at DTE, apart from Vivek Kamat.
The Bombay High Court at Goa is currently hearing a public interest litigation filed by activist Sudip Tamankar challenging the service extensions granted to various senior scale officers.
Earlier in January, the Chief Minister had announced to discourage the service promotion concept and to curtail the existing extensions.
