Srinagar, Feb 01: Clarifying his stance on growing employees resistance, Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Commissioner (SMC) Peerzada Hafizullah Shah on Friday confessed he is bound to follow the service rules framed in 1970.

The Commissioner claimed that he is working hard for the betterment of his employees and of Srinagar city. However, there are rules, which despite being archaic, ought to be followed.

The SMC employees have been complaining of not getting heard by the concerned authority as their grievances including the promotion of class IV remains unattended.

To make their grievance public, the employees went on to a one-week’s strike and held protests also.

The employees are alleging that the Commissioner is not able to take decisions, which is hampering the smooth functioning of the department and the growth of the employees.

Refuting the allegations, Shah while addressing media persons here in Srinagar said that he is trying his best to resolve the issues of SMC employees.

“The employees have many issues, promotion is one of them. We cannot promote them randomly. We have to follow the service rules. No doubt they are old, framed in 1970 but we are bound to follow them,” he said.

“Orderlies, junior assistants and other categories of class fourth employees have been demanding promotion. There is a set procedure which is to be followed. There is fixed quota of 25% for them,” he added.

“It means that among 40 posts, we are supposed to advertise 30 posts and fill 10 posts through promotion,” he added.

“Prior to me, DPC had violated the rules and had increased the quota by 25%(Total-50%). I agreed to go by its decision, besides assuring the employees that their interests will be taken care of. The employees had to only qualify the typing test,” he said.

“They were demanding weaver. After all we have to run a corporation. If a clerk is not able to type, how will he run his/her office,” questioned the Commissioner.

Referring to the World Bank (WB) Projects, Shah said, “The upgradation of 49 dewatering schemes was to be done. So far the work was not tendered out. It is me, who ensured the timely completion of all the formalities.”

“By tendering out the work on time, we have been able to retain the borrowing capacity,” he said.