From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Dec 14: Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj has given his assent to the Karnataka Civil Service (Water Resources Service) Special Recruitment of Assistant Engineers and Junior Engineers) Bill 2013, which will help the State government to recruit 452 engineers in the Upper Krishna Project (UKP).
Both Houses of the State legislature had passed the Bill in the just concluded session held in Belgaum.
The State Government had directly recruited 452 engineers for the execution of the UKP about two decades ago. But the Supreme Court quashed the recruitment and directed the government to come out with a law for recruitment of the engineers.
The State Government filed a special leave petition to protect jobs and the service of engineers recruited for the UKP.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayanchandra, who briefed reporters on the Governor according his assent to the Bill, said the Supreme Court had after hearing the petition given one year time to the State Government to pass the necessary law for recruitment of engineers.
''December 17 was the last date and with the Governor according his assent to the Bill, we will be able to start the process of inviting applications for recruitment,” the minister said.
To expedite the recruitment process, Jayanchandra had called on the Governor on Friday morning and requested him to give his assent to the Bill to safeguard jobs of 452 engineers and their service.
"All those eligible for recruitment in the year 1999 are now eligible for reappointment", he said.
A large number of engineers are on the verge of retirement now and the Bill had given them a big relief for them. The State government would issue an order for recruitment of more engineers if required, the minister said.
Asked about the Governor’s criticism on the functioning of the Government, he said Bharadwaj has given his suggestions for improving the administration in the State.
"We are not considering the Governor’s suggestions as criticism and accept the same in the right spirit,” he said pointing out that the Governor had every right to give his suggestions as he is the head of the Government, which functions under his name.