The future of the engineers, who were recently handed over their appointment letters by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, appears to be uncertain after cancellation of the appointment.
The selection and appointment of Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs) have been cancelled by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) citing it as ‘illegal’. They are likely to lose their jobs at any moment if a fresh advertisement in this regard is published.
Following the SAT order, the Government machinery is now putting the blame on the OPSC. The Government is yet to get the SAT order, said an official. Necessary steps would be taken after reviewing the SAT order. However, the Government has not made any irregularity in appointment of the engineers, he argued.
The AEEs were appointed for various departments after publication of the advertisement by the OPSC. Although the advertisement was published determining the maximum age limit of the candidates, later the OPSC issued an amended notification by raising the age limit to 45 years for the existing engineers working in the departments. Several cases were registered in the SAT opposing this move.
The SAT without staying the appointment process strictly directed the Government that final result of the examination could not be published without its permission. Meanwhile, several cases were registered alleging irregularity in the examination.
Despite the SAT directive, the OPSC announced the examination results and forwarded the list of eligible candidates to the Government for further appointment. However, the SAT cancelled the appointment directing the Government for selection of eligible candidates by publishing advertisement within a limited period of time.
Meanwhile, the appointed candidates are mulling to file a writ petition in the High Court against the SAT directive. On the other hand, the OPSC is likely to review the order.
Earlier, the SAT had pulled up the Government for appointing teachers despite the court’s restriction. The Government has been facing the blow from the SAT repeatedly for making decisions without going through legalities.