About thousand staff membeRs of the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) protested inside the North Block on Friday over the delay in promotions of staff for over six yeaRs now and sought the Centre to resolve the issues by March 10. The protesteRs insisted on meeting MoS (Personnel) Jitendra Singh, who was however not present at that time in his office.
“Regular promotions have been withheld in the Central Secretariat cadres for the past six yeaRs quoting pending litigations in the Supreme Court. However, promotions in all other cadres of the central government are happening in full swing with the conditions of final judgment of cases filed in the matters,” said Gomesh Kumawat, media advisor of the CSS Forum which represents the interests of the staff.
According to Kumawat, even legitimate demands of the CSS cadres such as extending benefits of the Organised Group ‘A’ Service, conducting the Section OfficeRs Limited Departmental Examination, proceeding on deputation before nine yeaRs of service in the cadre etc. have not been taken up by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) despite regular persuasion with the highest officials of the DoPT and the minister.
“Almost 4,500 posts, which is 40 percent of the total strength of CSS cadres, are lying vacant due to pending regular promotions for the last six years.
