Port Blair, July 30: The Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, A & N Islands demanded immediate appointment on compassionate ground for dependents of Govt. employees who died in harness after the outbreak of Covid-19. In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration, Shri T.S.Sreekumar, General Secretary of the Association expressed serious concern over the sufferings of the family members of the govt. employee who had died due to pandemic or post Covid complications.

He also told that such irreparable and sudden loss for them had also disturbed their life severely and they are unable to manage the family affairs with the meagre pension received by them. The General Secretary also drew attention towards the present scheme of appointment on compassionate ground, which is only 5% of direct recruitment vacancies. Shri Sreekumar urged upon the Chief Secretary to issue necessary instruction to all the Heads of Department to initiate necessary action to provide Compassionate Appointment to the dependents of all such employees who died in harness during the pandemic period. The Association also requested the Chief Secretary to take up the matter with the Ministry of Personnel for one-time relaxation in the condition of 5% limitation in compassionate appointment.