The AAP Government on Thursday issued advertisements in select newspapers for filling up the vacancies in the Delhi Dialogue Commission (DDC). The posts advertised were that of the facilitators and interns. The advertisement was published on Thursday but the last date was Friday (April 17, 2015). However, the Arvind Kejriwal Government had not taken prior permission from the Administrative Reforms Department for issuing the advert.
As per the laid down rules, the Administrative Reforms Department creates posts and then advertisement is inserted but only after department forms the recruitment rules. The Delhi Government had earlier removed Member (Secretary) Ashish Joshi from the DDC as he had refused to appoint AAP volunteers in the commission.
The Arvind Kejriwal Government’s pet project Delhi Dialogue Commission has come out with an advertisement seeking application for engagement of facilitators and interns on contract basis for 21 taskforces created by it. DDC has advertised for the posts on Thursday (April 16) and asked applicant to apply by Friday (April 17). Interestingly, Administrative Department has turned down the proposal saying that posts have not been created by it till date and without creation of posts, advertisement should not be issued. As per norms, the department sends request to Administrative Reforms Department for approval of required post. The Administrative Reforms Department approves number of vacancies or posts. After that, the concerned department sends to Finance Department for necessary funds for that posts and frame recruitment rules. After Finance Department concurrence, lieutenant Governor’s approval is needed.
According to Delhi Government official, there is a specific order that the appointment will be made against existing post which means if there is no post then contract appointment cannot be made.
Officials say that the DDC’s advertisement has no clarity on pay and perks (read consolidated amount) to facilitators and interns. Besides, qualification for the post of facilitator is a Master’s degree in relevant subject or work experience of three years or more in relevant subject area. Persons with MPhil or additional qualifications, research experience. The advertisement asked for “a Master’s degree in bijli, clean water, clean Yamuna, Delhi dehat, unauthorised colonies, jhuggi-jhopdis, mobile par sarkar, speedy justice, price rise, neat and clean Delhi, WiFi and CCTV, governance, transport, pollution, health and education.” “We have never heard of a Master’s degree in unauthorised colonies or jhuggi-jhopdis, bijli-paani or Delhi dehat,” a Delhi Government official said on condition of anonymity, adding that applicant has been given only one day to apply. The candidates should have been given at least 10 days for applying for the advertised posts.
“This exercise is a move to accommodate own volunteers in the name of facilitators and interns. It seems everything is ready with the commission. For instance, they have given only a day to apply,” said officials. DDC is in controversy since its inception. The body was created after Delhi Cabinet gave its approval.