Promotion of unqualified; forest department ordered to take action still resting in file

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is no follow-up action in the Forest Department order to take action and cancel the promotion against those who continue in the posts of Section Forest Officer and Deputy Range Officer without obtaining sufficient qualifications. The order issued by the Addl. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) on March 25, 2021, in the context of Kerala Administrative Tribunal and High Court orders, has not been acted upon even after three years.

According to APCCF's report, out of total 947 SFOs in the Forest Department, 284 are still in service without obtaining sufficient qualifications. APCCF had sent a letter again to the CCFs of all five circles on December 2 pointing out this. It has been instructed that action should be taken against those who continue in service without qualifying and declaring probation. 275 people were found ineligible in 2022 also. Instructions were given in November 2022 and September 2023 following this, but no action has been taken.

Promotion of SFO and Deputy Range Officers should be completed in their respective circles. The special rule which came into force in 2010 says that those who get appointed as Beat Forest Officer can be promoted to the post of Section Forest Officer and Deputy Range Officer only after successful completion of three departmental examinations and nine months of training. Some employees allege that there are moves by some to extend the probation and become range officers without qualifying.

Disciplinary action or cancellation of promotion

The rule is that if the unqualified person has been promoted, he should be given an opportunity to do so during the probationary period. Probation can be extended once if the eligibility is not met during the probation period. It is an offence to continue in service without qualifying and declaring probation in due course. Service Rule 21 states that such persons shall be discharged from probation or promotion cancelled. The appointing authorities in the respective circles are also responsible for the failure in this regard.