AEEs in Haryana green body likely to be promoted after rules are relaxed

The Haryana government is all set to promote the controversial Assistant Environmental Engineers (AEEs) to the ranks of Environmental Engineers (EEs),posted in the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) by giving them a year’s relaxation in the mandatory eight-years minimum experience as AEEs. Sources disclosed that the concerned minister,Capt Ajay Singh Yadav has given his nod to the promotion of eight such AEEs and forwarded the case to the Haryana Chief Minister,Bhupinder Singh Hooda for the final formal nod.

The controversial AEEs recommended for promotion were recruited during the tenure of former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala. The selection of four EEs and 21 AEEs in 2004 is under the scanner by the Haryana Vigilance. This is the same lot of engineers because of which the Haryana State Public Service Commission was dissolved by the government and a case is pending in the court pertaining to alleged scam.

Citing reasons that “the Board has no control over deputationists”,the Chairman of the HSPCB,R R Jowel had strongly recommended that the Board’s own officers be given a relaxation in years of experience.

There are 16 sanctioned posts of EEs out of which 12 are meant for promotion quota and four for direct quota. Out of the 12 posts meant for promotion quota,three are filled by promotion and one is kept reserved owing to a pending litigation in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Five EEs are on deputation and posted in NCR. There are eight posts of EEs which are lying vacant. At present,there are 28 AEEs posted in HSPCB out of which seven would benefit if Hooda grants the relaxation in years of experience required. The recommendation was approved by HSPCB in its 162nd meeting held on March 20 and the case was forwarded to Capt Ajay Yadav on March 29.