Greater Chennai corporation tries Government Order trick to circumvent ruling
Chennai: Amid allegations of favouritism, the Greater Chennai corporation has legalised the appointment of a junior grade official to the post of stadium officer via a Government Order dated February 22, to circumvent a Madras high court ruling. As per the G.O. No. 40 of the municipal administration and water supply department, the post of stadium officer will now be known as sports officer and an additional post of assistant sports officer has been created as well.
However, it is the person appointed to the post of sports officer, A. Saravanan, who is in the eye of the storm after his department seniors approached the Madras high court, and subsequently ended up receiving a favourable order in June 2015, when he was elevated above them. Justice D. Hariparanthaman, who reviewed the case, stayed the appointment and directed the corporation to appoint the senior-most person as per the list.
The judge added that appointing the senior-most cannot be ignored even if it was in only an in-charge capacity.
Corporation sources alleged that Saravanan’s appointment came through as a result of his proximity and standing with a higher official in the Ripon Buildings and an incumbent minister. Peeved at this step by the corporation, the aggrieved parties are contemplating moving a contempt of court petition, according to sources.
When contacted, Saravanan told DC that there was provision for appointing any person as in-charge to a vacant post and that seniority did not matter. However, this was the point disputed and raised by Justice Hariparanthaman in his orders.
“All the allegations are false and made by persons with malicious intent,” he said. “Until 2014, the corporation’s qualification for stadium officer was just Class 12 and a certificate course in physical education. The government wanted to raise these qualifications and as per the SDAT rules. There is no wrong in wanting a better quality officer. There will be people who cook up all sorts of non-sense if they are not qualified enough,” said Saravanan.
