As many as 400 sub-engineers having their degree from Associate Membership of Institution of Technical Education (AMITE) and presently working in different State Government departments are reported to be facing massive problem in departmental promotion over issue of degree’s recognition.
“Even though, the degree is approved and recognised by Union Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), the Government departments in Chhattisgarh are not giving promotion to at least 400 sub-engineers working in different departments,” said a RTI activist Prakash Sharma, elaborating that the course is a membership course and not a distance education course.
The departments include Public Works Department (PWD), Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Water Resources Department (WRD), Urban Administration and Development Department, Chhattisgarh Housing Board (CGHB) and others, by terming the degree as a ‘distance education course’, ‘AMITE is equivalent to B.E/BTech and its syllabus is approved by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE),” he said.
Sharma further claimed that in 2010, the then Secretary for Technical Education had issued a notification recognising the degree. Similarly, in 2013, Addtional Director, Technical Education had issued a notification that if MHRD has recognised the degree then it is automatically approved by the Chhattisgarh Government.
Demanding immediate disposal of the problem, sub-engineers have submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Raman Singh, Governor and ministers, said Sharma and further informed that the issue has also been raised in Chief Minister’s ‘Jandarshan’ programme.
“If necessary action in this regard is not be taken shortly, affected sub-engineers are going to take the matter to the High Court of Chhattisgarh,” said Sharma.
“A letter seeking immediate intervention into the matter will also be sent to President, Prime Minister and Union HRD Minister,” he added.
“In response to queries made by us regarding this issue, AICTE said that they only affiliate BE and B Tech degrees and did not make any comment regarding recognition of AMITE,” said State Minister for Technical Education Prem Prakash Pandey.