Port Blair, Aug 18: The Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma today called on the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and raised five crucial issues related to welfare of people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Raising the first issue, the Member of Parliament requested to grant one-time age relaxation of five years to all candidates, who have crossed the age limit for government jobs so that they can also apply for various posts notified by the Administration on 01/08/2022 for recruitment.
He added that as per A&N Administration notification dated 01.08.2022, all together 556 Group –C posts of various common categories such as LGC, LDC, Stenographer, Assistant Store Keeper, Gram Sevika, Instructor (Tailoring) Tally Clerk, Village Level workers, Sales Assistant, Patwari, Time Keeper etc. have been notified to fill up through competitive examination to be held on 09.10.2022 and the last date for applying these posts is 02.09.2022.
The Member of Parliament pointed out that in the said notification, age relaxation also provided to the certain categories of DRM/Contract/ Adhoc/SSCT workers in terms of A&N Administration Circulars No.45/98-PW dated 6th June 2001 and No.45/1998-PW dated 19th September 2011 which provides that all such candidate would be eligible to be considered for age relaxation for the actual period spent in each department under Administration, for which he appreciated the Administration for such policy decision to safeguard the interest of the workers those who have crossed the age limit prescribed for government job.
However, he pointed out that since the last several years, despite having sufficient numbers of vacancies, these posts are not been filled by the various departments for different administrative reasons including COVID-19 pandemic during the year 2020 and 2021 and because of which thousands of youths have crossed the prescribed maximum age limit for securing government job. Besides this, a large number of workers are also working in various non-governmental organizations and autonomous organizations like Societies for Law colleges, ANIIMS, Aids Control Society, DBRAIT etc., Central Govt. schemes and private workers but due to their engagement in such non-govt. organizations and private establishments, they are not covered to seek age relaxation in terms of A&N Administration circulars dated 06.06.2001 and 19.09.2011.
Hence he requested to grant a one-time relaxation of five years to all the candidates, who have crossed the age limit for government jobs, so that they can also apply for various posts.
Raising the second crucial issue, the Member of Parliament demanded extension of last date for applying to the post of Junior Engineer (Civil) in the APWD since the final year examination and result of B.Tech students of DBRAIT delayed more than 03 months and aspiring candidates loss an opportunity to apply for the post.
He added that several final year B.Tech (Civil) students of DBRAIT, Port Blair have approached him stating that due to administrative reasons and also in view of COVID pandemic, their final year examination (8th semester) has been delayed for more than 03 months which has now started on 8th August 2022 and will be completed on 24th August 2022. Due to delay in conducting the final examination by the Pondicherry University, the declaration of result will also be delayed for three months and will possibly be declared during November 2022. Consequently, they are unable to apply for 85 posts of JE (Civil) notified by the APWD for recruitment with the last date for applying being 16th September 2022.
In the third issue the Member of Parliament requested the Hon’ble Lt. Governor for early consideration to provide funds, staff and vehicle to the Panchayat Samity, Ferrargunj Block, South Andaman district.
The Member of Parliament added that Panchayat Samiti, Ferrargunj Tehsil, South Andaman district is facing immense hardship due to non-availability of funds, field staff etc to resolve the grievances of the residents in the respective sectors.
Raising the fourth issue he requested for restoration of the age limit of 35 years for female candidates for the post of Junior Engineers and to grant one-time age relaxation to all candidates, who have crossed the age limit for various categories of posts including Junior Engineers in APWD.
The Member of Parliament mentioned that the age benefit of 5 (five) years to female aspirants in public employment is given by the government as a part of policy for empowerment of women folk, so as to encourage more and more females to seek employment and become financially independent.
Further, he added that due to COVID-19 pandemic recruitment for the posts of Junior Engineers in the APWD could not be done for the past 3 (three) years despite vacancies arising every year. Due to this many educationally qualified candidates have crossed the age limit of 30 (thirty) years prescribed in the instant Vacancy Notice.
He also demanded one time age relaxation for a period of 3 (three) to all aspiring candidates for the posts of Junior Engineer (Civil), Junior Engineer (E & M) and other posts notified for recruitment in the "Notice of vacancy for recruitment in APWD" dated 12.08.2022" published by APWD
In the fifth issue he requested filling up the 04 (four) vacant post of Assistant Director Sports in the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs on deputation basis.
He pointed out that 04 posts of Assistant Director (Sports) are lying vacant since long in the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs. Many eligible aspirants are there to fill up these vacancies which will ultimately boost up the sport activities in the islands.
He mentioned that since, Government of India is also focusing to provide more and more facilities to emerging sports talents it is pertinent to have sufficient sports officials in the department of Sport and Youth affairs of this union territory.