Diploma from Deemed University lets down staff

The promotion of 34 employees of the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL), who are on deputation to the Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM) as linemen or in other posts, hangs in the balance due to alleged ‘political vendetta’.

They have been awaiting  promotion to the posts of junior engineers (electrical) under the 10 per cent direct recruitment, for the last two years. They got a shock when they were told that their diploma obtained from the JRN Rajasthan Vidyapeetha Deemed University was not ‘valid’ for promotion.

This was despite the cadre and recruitment rule stating that the course was considered equivalent to a diploma in Karnataka.

This marked the beginning of a long and arduous journey for these employees as they knocked on almost all doors in order to get the government to endorse their request for promotion.

Various officials over the years have endorsed the employees’ demand in the past including the previous energy secretary Shamim Banu.

According to documents, a copy of which is with Express, the diploma has been considered equivalent to a diploma from a Karnataka-based institution by the then education secretary M Madan Gopal.

Originally referred to by both the Education and Law departments, Shamim Banu had questioned the need to refer the matter to the Law Department. In a file dated September 7, 2011, she had stated that the Department of Higher Education is the department concerned to say whether the course is equivalent. There is no legal issue involved, she had added.

However, the attempts by employees to secure the much-awaited promotion was repeatedly being stalled with what they allege is political undertone.

“We have approval from the Education Department, the opinion of the chairman of the Legislative Council and the Court as well.

Despite our best efforts, the promotion is still being stalled,” charged an employee who did not want to be named. “It is just a simple matter of caste politics washing down to our level as well,” added the employee.

Efforts by Express to find out why the matter was pending for many years were stonewalled. Energy Secretary D N Narasimharaju claimed to have no knowledge of the matter.

HR Director of KPTCL Muddumohan also claimed ignorance about the matter and said that he would look into it.

Attempts to contact Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje failed.