HMRL violates rules, gives contracts to retired staff

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) has reportedly violated norms by appointing two retired engineers without the knowledge of the state government. HMRL reportedly gave the officials an extension of two years, post retirement.

As per norms, any individual should not work in any organisation for a period of two years after retirement without notice being given to the government. It appears that the two engineers are getting pension from the state government and salaries paid by the HMRL as contract employees.

According to highly placed sources in HMRL, Mr M. Vishnu-vardhan Reddy, who was working as superintendent engineer, retired on December 31. Mr Vinod Kumar, working in the engineering section, retired on October 31.

They were reappointed by the HMRL on January 8 reportedly without the government being given notice.

Sources said that appointments led a row among the engineering wing officials as over five engineers have been vying for the same posts with similar experience as the re-appointed staff.

Sources said that the government has to officially release a GO regarding the extension of service. Otherwise, any gazetted officer will have to wait for a minimum period of two years prior to rejoining the same firm.

None in the municipal administration and urban development dep-artment seemed to know about the appointments. This reporter tried to reach HMRL officials for clarification regarding the appointments but no one was available for comment.

This is not the first time that this is happening. Officials who retired from the Metro Water and Sewerage Board and the GHMC are working in private agencies to whom they had issued contracts before retirement.