Govt job aspirants oppose labour department move on contractual hiring

Announcing that it will set up an Outsourced Manpower Cell to monitor such appointments, the GR also declares SOPs to be followed under various categories as well as their monthly payment. There are 70 posts specified under highly skilled manpower in the GR, which lists 50 posts under skilled category, 8 under semi-skilled and 10 in unskilled manpower category.

Aspirants of government recruitment exams are complaining that this could be the end of their dream to land a government job. Opposing the scheme, they say that it supports privatisation and dilutes the reservation mandate for appointments in government offices.

“Looking at the long list of categories specified in the GR, it appears that now recruitments will only be made to posts where appointments are through MPSC. All others are covered under these contractual arrangements,” said Mahesh Gharbude from Spardha Pariksha Samnvay Samiti, an association of MPSC aspirants in Pune.

Claiming that there are huge vacancies in government establishments as recruitment exams are always delayed, he added, “Contractual appointment is dangerous for lakhs of young educated individuals across Maharashtra who have been waiting for a job. It will also dilute the reservation mandate in government jobs.”

The government, however, has clarified that the contractual hiring is only for temporary posts and that regular recruitment drives will continue. Vinita Ved Singhal, secretary, state labour department, told The Indian Express that regular recruitment drive of the each department will continue as earlier and that it is not linked to contractual hiring.

“There are many projects on short term basis for which staffers are recruited on a temporary basis… This is not connected to the regular recruitment done by various departments through exams,” Singhal said.

Pointing out danger of involving private agencies in government recruitments, Kiran Nimbore from MPSC Students’ Rights, said, “Earlier only a few posts under C and D category were filled through contractual appointments. But the GR specifies a long list of categories. This commercialisation of government jobs can lead to malpractices in appointments. Additionally, contractual employment means no permanency in job along with no accountability.”

There is also contention over the Man Month Rate (monthly payment) specified for each post. “Taking such skilled labour for meagre payments with no clarity on increments indicates a dangerous road ahead,” said Pandurang Kengar from the School Principals’ Association in Mumbai.

Kengar also pointed out the skewed nature of payments in which a teacher or an assistant teacher post that comes under skilled manpower category requiring degree level education along with passing of eligibility tests will be paid Rs 35,000 and Rs 25, 000 per month, respectively. A peon’s post that comes under unskilled category having no educational qualification requirement will get paid Rs 25,000 a month.

“Social media expert is specified under the high-skilled category with monthly payment of Rs 75,000. Is marketing more important than teaching in government schools,” asked Kengar.