The decision of the All India Radio (AIR) to conduct re-screening tests and re-audition of its casual announcers and presenters on July 15 for the continuation of their services has not gone down well with the fraternity which has termed the move "illegal."
The All India Casual Announcers and Comperes Union (AICACU) in Delhi said that the matter is pending in the Supreme Court while High Courts and CAT in various States have already exempted their members working in AIR stations like in Kerala, Rajasthan and cities including Patna, Chandigarh, Jalandhar and Allahabad from participating in any such exams.
"The Courts and CAT have barred the government to conduct such a test till the case reaches to its logical conclusion in the Apex Court. Holding the tests is an illegal step on the part of AIR ," said the Union in its letter written to the Director General of Akashvani Directorate.
In the letter, the Union president Hari Krishan said that there was more than what meets the eye and in the name of conducting re-screening tests, which are being held in haste, many of their members will be disqualified and shown the door from the organisation,
The members reminded the authority that they had been diligently doing their jobs for the last 20-25 years and were selected only after clearing the screening tests. During their appointment, there was no such condition of holding re-screening or re-auditioning, pointed out Krishan.Instead of regularizing us we are being made to force out from the organization, he added.
The Union has also expressed shock at the way the officials had intimated their members about the re-screening tests. "We have been informed about the tests through the WhatsApp with no authorized signature. Also documents of validity are being sought on WhatsApp and email," Krishan said.