CHENNAI: he Tangedco’s decision to recruit 375 assistant engineers through direct recruitment by holding competitive examination for the first time has triggered a demand for doing away with the concept of internal selection — reserving 50 per cent of available vacancies exclusively for in service candidates.
A section of Tangedco engineers wants the administration to scrap the internal selection as candidates with engineering degree are absorbed on the basis of seniority without any rigorous selection process.
“Appointment of assistant engineers should be done through single window selection covering candidates from both streams — direct recruitment and internal selection. It will provide a common platform for everyone to compete with each other without discrimination and secure selection on basis of merit and ability,” they said.
The ratio of 1:1 among internal selection and direct recruitment was in vogue from 1985 said Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Engineers’ Association. “This ratio was introduced in 1985, when there were only nine engineering colleges delivering around 500 graduate engineers in a year. Now, there are around 550 engineering colleges besides many deemed universities producing around 40,000 graduate engineers in a year. Thus, the ratio 1:1 itself is irrational,” said TNBEA in a letter to chairman and managing director of Tangedco.
Pointing out that the concept of internal selection is not practised in any of the government technical departments like PWD and highways, TNBEA said all assistant engineers are appointed only through Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission.
“In service candidates in government departments who acquire BE degree by part time studies are expected to apply to TNPSC, appear for written examination and interview, compete with outsiders and secure selection on the basis of merit only,” the association said.
But in Tangedco all eligible in service candidates are automatically absorbed as assistant engineers without any selection process. “Not even one internal candidate was denied appointment since introduction of internal selection in 1985,” it noted.
Stating that those acquiring BE degree through part time may not have adequate technical knowledge, the administrative branch of the electricity board in December 2000 prescribed introduction of rigorous selection process for the selecting internal candidates.
“As a large number of internal candidates is available for filling the vacancies, it is decided to have a selection process instead of routine absorption so that TNEB gets quality candidates for manning the post of AE,” the board decided. However, the decision remains only on paper, the association said.
TNBEA said Tangedco has now decided to conduct written examination for direct recruitment as per the latest board decision dated December 10, 2015.
“Tangedco may prescribe separate competitive written examination and interview for internal selection as well. It is learnt that there are around 850 in-service candidates and they may be directed to appear for examination/interview for selection on the basis of merit and ability instead of routine absorption,” it demanded.
However, another union Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Engineers’ Sangam has urged Tangedco to fill vacancies through internal selection first and then take up direct recruitment.
Tangedco employees and field officers had already submitted application to the office of chief engineer, personnel, for internal selection in July last year itself, it said, adding that internal selection application should be processed and appointment orders should be issued without any further delay.
A senior Tangedco official said no decision had been taken on changing the mode of appointment through internal selection process.
“At present, we are working on the direct recruitment through written examination. Any decision on internal selection will be taken after completion of the direct recruitment process,” the official said.
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