Recruitment of labourers at NAD kicks up a row

KOCHI: The move of the Naval Armament Depot (NAD) authorities to recruit candidates to the Semi-skilled Labourer (SSL) category has kicked up a controversy, with a group of employees awaiting promotion to the vacant posts approaching the High Court of Kerala seeking a stay on the recruitment process.  It is alleged that the NAD authorities and a group of employees in the civilian section of the Southern Naval Command, with the connivance of the trade union leaders, were trying to push in candidates who had produced fake experience certificates.  The Union Government had invited applications for the posts of Ammunition Repair Labourer (ARL) and Gun Repair Labourer (GRL), which falls under the category of Semi-Skilled Labourer (SSL). There are 29 and 11 vacancies in these posts, respectively. The qualification is standard VIII and an experience in the relevant trade. The interview was held at the Southern Naval Command on December 13, 14 and 15.   It is alleged in the petition that the experience certificates produced by the candidates were fabricated since the certificate in the relevant trade could be secured only by serving a Defence establishment.  “The majority of documents are fabricated and self- serving documents,” the petitioners stated.  The petitioners were recruited as Unskilled Labourers (USL).  “They claim that they are eligible to be promoted as SSL by qualifying the departmental test. At present there are 40 employees in the USL category.  The petitioners currently discharge the duties of SSL, as the duty of USL and SSL are of almost same in nature.  “Based on the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission, the posts in the USL category have been merged with the posts in the SSL category with a pay scale of Rs 5,200-20,200 with a grade pay of  Rs 1,800 with effect from January 1, 2006,’ the petition pointed out.   Sources said that most of the candidates produced experience certificates given by cracker manufacturing units in North Paravur by paying Rs 2,000. Almost all candidates are relatives or children of serving employees. There are also allegations that most of the appointments were made by accepting bribe, they said.When contacted, the Naval authorities said that the recruitment process was fair and transparent and  designed in a manner to prevent any wrong-doing. “The procedure involves proper scrutiny of documents submitted by the candidates to check their authenticity.  “Further, the docume- nts are also sent for verification prior to the appointment.  There are also suitable systems in place to oversee the recruitment system.  “However, specific instance of any irregularity will be investigated if brought to our notice,” they said.