In an effort to streamline operations, Bihar’s urban development department has enacted a policy restricting employees to a single competitive exam for career growth. This decision, aimed at curbing disruptions and project hold-ups caused by frequent exam prep, means employees wishing to pursue additional exams must resign.
Patna: The urban development and housing department (UDHD) has issued an order that will restrict its officers and employees to take just one competititive exam during the entire service period to rise to high payscale.The department, in its order issued on Monday, has said if any officer or employee wishes to appear in a competitive examination more than once during their service must first resign.The department said the decision was prompted by repeated requests from employees to appear in competitive exams, which it found were hampering official work and delaying project execution due to excessive focus on preparations.The order further stated that while seeking permission officials continue to draw salary and other benefits from the govt, which goes against the public interest.
“Therefore, officials/employees of the subordinate cadres of the department will be permitted to appear in competitive examinations only for posts at a higher pay level than the post they currently hold, and this permission will be granted only once during their entire service period,” stated the order.It added: “If any officer/employee wishes to appear in the examination more than once, he/she is free to resign from the govt service.”
The order has been issued by Rajeev Ranjan Tiwari, deputy secretary to the govt.The copy of the order has been sent to Buidco, Bihar State Housing Board, Patna Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, Housing Metropolitan Area Authority, Real Estate Regulatory Authority, Real Estate Appellate Authority, municipal corporations, and engineers, among others.Reacting sharply to the order, Congress spokesperson Snehashish Vardhan Pandey said the BJP has been continuously murdering the Constitution, and this order too will prove to be an arbitrary decree “Tughlaki farman”.
He questioned whether a meritorious student, who achieves success at a young age, should not be encouraged for progressive rise in the career. He further asked if the deputy CM does not aspire to become the CM, or after becoming CM, would he not want to become a Union minister or take up any national-level leadership role.On the other hand, BJP leader Prabhakar Mishra welcomed the order and described it as an important step towards ensuring administrative efficiency and accountability. He said govt work gets affected due to employees repeatedly appearing in competitive examinations, and therefore a balanced system has been created. Mishra added that the party fully supports this initiative because it will motivate employees to work with greater responsibility and ensure better services to the general public.JD(U) spokesperson Anjum Ara also defended the decision and said the purpose of this order is to reduce the obstacles that arise in govt work and to ensure accountability of employees.
