Feb 21st

A BENCH OF of the Supreme Court has upheld merit by giving
instruction to the government to review re-employment of retired
officers on contract basis at various top positions. The court
observed that such appointments are tantamount to blocking the
promotion of other officers waiting for their turns, and had been
made, prima facie, in violations of Civil Servants Act 1973, Civil
Establishment Code (Estacode) and various judgements of the Supreme
Court on this subject. Although rehiring of retired officers has not
been ruled out in the Civil Servants Act 1973, which states, “A
retired civil servant shall not be re-employed under the federal
government, unless such re-employment is necessary in the public
interest,” in most instances the prescribed procedure is not adhered
to, thus violating merit. Estacode states, “It has been noticed with
concern that contract appointments were made in the past
indiscriminately without proper examination of the need thereof and
without ensuring observance of the principle of open merit, and
equality of opportunity” and goes on to lay down detailed conditions
and procedures in making such appointments. It is common knowledge
that with every new government there comes a barrage of new
appointments, most made at the discretion of respective chief
executives, and sometimes in violation of these procedures to the
presence of their cronies on key positions. The case of the present
government is no different.
In Karachi Water and sewerage Board which is under financial pressure
due to over employment at one end has hired more than 100 retired
employees on contract basis. Its a clear violation of rules and
regulations and needs to be review all cases on merit. in most cases
most of contract employees are non productive and have been re-hired
to continue the perks and privileges which they were drawing before
their retirement.
–

By: SHAHID LAI



This syndicated post originally appeared at on 21 February 2011