Fix ad hoc recruitment rules

CHENNAI: Town planners have urged the State Government to amend the ad hoc rules prescribing only a qualification of post-graduation in town and country planning or an equivalent associate membership in the Institute of Town Planners for direct recruitment to the levels of assistant directors, deputy directors and joint directors of planning. Secretary of the Institute of Town Planners, India (Tamil Nadu Regional Chapter), R Shivakumar, told Express that a Government Order was issued last year to amend the ad hoc rules, but it was yet to be implemented in planning departments.He said he had also sent a letter to the Secretary, housing and urban development stating that only four qualified town planners had been recruited by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission in August 2009 out of the 14 assistant director posts, and the remaining 10 posts were filled up with Directorate of Town and Country Planning staff and others without town planning qualification, as per the existing ad hoc rules.He urged the Secretary to issue instructions to the Directorate of Town and Country Planning for single local planning areas in the State and Composite Local Planning Authorities of Chengalpet and Tiruvallur to register qualified town planners as per the National Building Code of India, 2005, for preparation of plans for approval of ordinary buildings, special buildings, group developments, multi-storied buildings and layouts.