Daily Times

KARACHI: Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has violated rules in the appointment/re-designation /upgradations of posts of civil servants, it was revealed.

It has been observed that the SBCA appointed/re-designated and upgraded posts in violation of the Appointments, Promotions and Transfer Rules 1974 – amended in May 2009.

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and investigating agencies have asked details on the matter from Sindh Local Government on audit and inspection report of Accountant General of Pakistan following thorough inspection of office records of office of SBCA director general, of financial year 2016-17.

The audit was of the view that out of turn promotions without due process and fulfilment of formalities remained the hallmark of the higher authorities of SBCA.

During audit and inspection, it had been observed that office reverted back 62 senior building inspectors (BPS-17) to BPS-16 who were promoted out of turn and without due process and fulfilment of formalities in 2014 and 2015.

The officials of SCBA had informed that higher echelons of SBCA had been involved in appointing/re-designating and upgrading post(s) without observing due process.

Discrepancies were noticed in appointment/promotion/upgradation of post held by Shahid Jamil Khan, presently holding chief post of Legal Affairs Department principal.

He was appointed to BPS 6 in 1984 and could not have been promoted to such a higher scale, it was said and that he was promoted to grade 11 without taking into consideration the department’s promotion committee and service rules.

He was reappointed to BPS 15 on temporary basis in 1992 as assistant legal department on the condition that he would have to become member of Sindh Bar Council. He was absorbed in the Legal Department in BPS 17 as assistant legal adviser in 2003.

He was also appointed to BPS 18 out of turn as he did not complete the tenure needed for promotion. He was made Legal Affairs director, BPS grade 19.

Later, this post was declared BPS 20 and he became principal law officer on regular basis without DPC recommendations and without public notice in section of press for appointment.

Similarly, Rehmat Shah, currently serving as secretary to DG (BPS 19) was appointed to BPS 5 as record keeper, later appointed LDC, typist on redesigned level, stenographer & private secretary. All stages in the promotion were against the service rules, officials of SBCA revealed.

All this reportedly happened at the behest of Manzoor Ahmad Kaka, former SBCA director general, and Sindh Housing and Town Planning Department also endorsed his appointment.

No department is allowed to recommend a civil servant for out of turn promotion award or reward under Section 9-A of Sindh Civil Servants Act, 1973, except in accordance with this rule.

It also says that where a civil servant is granted out of turn promotion, he shall maintain his seniority in lower grade and shall not further be promoted to the higher post until; according to his inter-seniority, he becomes eligible for promotion.

The recommendation has to be placed before a committee consisting of chief secretary as chairman, members Board of Revenue, secretary (Services) SGA&CD, Housing and Town Planning secretary and Local Government secretary.

After referring matter to Sindh chief minister for approval or disapproval, the appointment is considered or otherwise.

Meanwhile, Shahid Jamil claimed that the promotions were legal and competent authorities had given approval for them.

Published in Daily Times, November 24^th 2017.