the goan I network
PANAJI
In what could potentially derail the ongoing recruitment process in the Goa Medical College and Hospital at Bambolim to fill up 1,000 positions, the State government on Tuesday issued a circular to all government departments stating that all recruitment to the ‘Group C’ posts must be carried out only through the Goa Staff Selection Commission (GSSC).
In its circular, the personnel department has also asked all departments to withdraw all advertisements to such posts issued after August 9, warning the Heads of Departments (HoD) that actions would be taken if they fail to adhere to these instructions.
In its circular, the personnel department has also asked the HoDs to seek prior clearance from the personnel department to fill up posts created by the High-Level Empowered Committee. The HoDs have also been asked for strict compliance and have been told to submit the action taken report within 10 days (ie by October 25).
This directive could potentially derail the ongoing recruitment process in the GMC, which is in the process of filling up 1,000 positions in various categories, including nurses, other para-medic and technical posts.
The Goa Medical College has already received around 30,000 job applications for the 1,000-odd vacancies and the department has already begun the huge task of scrutinising the applications.
The Goa Staff Selection Commission Bill, 2019, was passed in the monsoon assembly session on August 9 and has already been notified following the Governor’s assent on September 10.
The act has come into force with effect from September 18 as per the notification published in the Official Gazette.
It may be noted that the circular has been issued by under secretary personnel has been followed after clear instructions from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant through a note in September, directing that all government recruitment processes for ‘Group C’ posts are to be handled by the GSSC.
At that time, Sawant had also said in the note that all advertisements issued pursuant to the passing of the law are required to be withdrawn with immediate effect.
Did rift between Vishwajit, Sawant lead to circular?
PANAJI: The State government’s circular may have put recruitment processes in perspective but it has also exposed the rift between Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane over the filling of 1,000-odd posts at the Goa Medical College Hospital.
Although Rane wants his officers to go ahead with the recruitment process, bureaucrats concerned with the health department are now in the dilemma on whether they are in a legally safe position to go ahead and fill the 1,000-odd posts, since the circular on Tuesday clearly states all recruitments to ‘Group C’ posts must be carried out only through the Goa Staff Selection Commission.
When asked about the recruitment process, Sawant said the process of filling the technical posts at the Goa Medical College can continue after seeking prior permission from the personnel department. However, there is no written order to this effect.
The 1000-odd posts advertised earlier in September comprises 700 technical posts, while the 300 non-technical posts includes LDC, medical record keeper, store keeper, multitasking staff.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane was yet to react to the circular issued on Tuesday.
