The All Arunachal Pradesh RTI Activists Association (AARTIAA) disclosed on Sunday that the state government has handed over the case concerning the alleged illegal appointment of over 100 Junior Engineers (Civil) in the Public Works Department (PWD) between 2015 and 2018 to the Special Investigating Cell (SIC) of the state police.

In a press conference held at the Itanagar Press Club, AARTIAA’s chief auditor, Nabam Tapak, revealed that the state government recently sent a letter to the SIC, initiating a preliminary investigation into the matter. Tapak expressed appreciation for this move and called upon the SIC to promptly commence the investigative process.

AARTIAA has asserted that a significant number of Junior Engineers were appointed illegally, with their names placed on a waiting list without adhering to proper procedures. Consequently, the association had appealed to the Chief Minister’s Office to address the issue.

The sequence of events began on February 25, 2015, when local newspapers advertised 10 vacant Junior Engineer positions. Subsequently, an additional 33 vacancies were announced, bringing the total to 43 posts. By August 2016, this number had increased to 66 positions.

According to Tapak, on November 18, 2016, the department announced the results, selecting 66 candidates and placing 116 others on the waiting list. Shockingly, all wait-listed candidates were purportedly appointed by the department without conducting any further examinations.

The Viva-Voce board for the recruitment process included Superintending Engineer (SE) Techi Rutu as the chairman, along with PWD Naharlagun Division EE Techi Nabo, Pakke Kessang Division EE Nabam Takar, and Deputy Secretary (Mining) T Koniya as members.

The state government’s decision to involve the SIC reflects its commitment to addressing allegations of irregularities in the appointment process. AARTIAA remains vigilant in ensuring accountability and transparency in this matter, as it awaits the findings of the SIC’s investigation.