Imphal, June 23: Question has been raised at the manner in which an official of the Manipur pollution Control Board had been �absorbed� and subsequently promoted even as the financial assistance previously assured by the Union Ministry of Forests and Environment to the State Board had been halted due to the latter�s mal-administration and non-compliance to Central Government stipulation.

According to informed source, a Board meeting held in December 1989 deliberated upon and endorsed appointment of nine employees including an Assistant Engineer on �post for the time being� basis.

In consonance with the Board decision, a Section officer of the State Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) earlier transferred and subsequently elevated to the rank of Assistant Environment Engineer in the Meghalaya Pollution Control Board was appointed as the AE on deputation for one year in the State Board in September 1992.After absorption of the said AE to the Board inspite of being transferred on deputation the same person was promoted as Senior Environmental Engineer (SEE) on March 2003 during which time ban on fresh recruitment and creation of post without finance department concurrent as in consonance with an agreement signed with the Central Government was already in force in Manipur.

Pointing out the procedural flaw the source mentioned of the State Board�s own appointment regulation for adherence to State Govt�s restriction of post creation or promotion matters regarding employees/officials drawing salary in the scale of Rs 2000-3500 (pre-revised) and Rs 7500-12,000 (revised) which the official on deputation has been enjoying till date.

Moreover, the gravity of the situation concerns the said person�s promotion from AE to SEE overlooking seniority criteria, alleged the source.

On the other hand, the Union Ministry which had released five years� financial assistance to the Board accountable from 2003-04 session to implement environment related programmes and employees� salaries is unlikely to offer more grant.

The main factor for stopping funding process to the Board, according to the source, is failure of State Government to comply to procedural necessity to sign an MoU with the Union Ministry pertaining to the appointment and fund utilisation.

As the State authorities had failed to sign the deal which could have facilitated funding for another five year term failure to furnish utilisation certificate of the previous assistance served as the final nail to the Board�s coffin.

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