Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 09 2009:
Proposal of the State Government to transform manipur Fire Service Department into a Disaster Management Department seems unlikely in the immediate future as the employees have begun to voice opposition to the idea.
Speaking to mediapersons today on condition of anonymity some employees suggested that rather than conversion of the Department, there would be wide appreciation in case the Government looks into problems besieging the Department.
Not ruling out possibility of the employees resorting to strikes if the Disaster management concept is not reviewed, they contended that when the Department's Director is out of station the administration faces derailment thereby inconveniencing the employees in various front.
Disclosing that the present Director is also dispensing additional charges as the Department's DDO, Joint Director as well as Station Officer, the employees pointed out that when the incumbent is not available procedural necessities such as opening bank accounts of the employees for salary withdrawal, leave applications and pay sanction processes remain static that consequently creates hardship to the employees with severe demoralising effect.
Further highlighting that there are significant number of vacant posts in addition to need for enhancing strength of Fire service personnel in view of increasing incidents and urgent need for provision of modern equipment/fire fighting machinery, the employees also confided they would apprise the Chief Minister regarding problems besetting the Department in the form of a memorandum.