Wednesday, April 4, 2012

4404 posts vacant in Forests

A total 4044 posts were lying vacant in the Forest department while the posts of Assistant Conservators of Forests (ACFs) and Range Officers were filled up recently after a long gap of over 28 years.

Minister of Forests Mian Altaf while responding to short notice question of PDP member Murtaza Khan said that out of the total sanctioned strength of 19533 posts in the Forests department including SFC, at present 4404 posts were lying vacant. He said out of this figure, 1560 posts have been referred to recruiting agencies and they are likely to be filled up shortly. 2844 posts are yet to be filled up and sent for the recruitment.

Mr Altaf claimed that against the posts of FPF Guards, 682 watchers and 46 other Class IV are working. The recruitment process of these posts has been put on hold. As regards Forest Guards, 841 posts have been advertised by SSRB. The selection process for the posts of Foresters and FPF inspectors has been stayed by the Court.

Out of the total vacant posts, 1304 are in Teritorial Forest, 1173 in FPF, 221 in SFC, 68 in Wild Life department, 23 in Forest Research Institute, 30 in Soil Conservation, 16 in Environment and Remote Sensing, and nine in Social Forestry. These posts are yet to be referred to the recruiting agencies.

The minister said there was need to make amendment in recruitment rules, Forestry graduates and PGs are needed to be given preference. He said recruitment of ACFs and ROs was made in the department recently after 28 years. While responding to recruitment made in SFC in last two-three years, minister admitted that some people were engaged as casual labourers and workers on need basis to safeguard the forest property as well as other activities.

Replying to a question regarding names and parents of people engaged since 2009, the minister said since the persons have to be temporarily engaged on work basis, the issuance of formal engagement orders does not arise. He also avoided to give vacancy position of the casual and need basis workers.

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