Pune: Recruitment Process for 407 PMRDA Posts Finally Approved

Pune, 26th August 2024: After years of delays, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has received the green light to proceed with the recruitment of 407 posts, marking a significant step towards bolstering its workforce. The long-awaited Service Access Rules have now been approved, paving the way for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) to oversee the recruitment of A and B category positions.

This decision to move forward with direct hiring aims to build a more independent and effective workforce within PMRDA, addressing concerns that have been raised over the years about reliance on contractual staff, including issues related to bribery. With a stronger team, PMRDA is expected to improve its operational efficiency and better meet the developmental needs of the Pune metropolitan area.

Since its establishment on March 31, 2015, PMRDA has covered approximately 7,256 square kilometres and includes 817 villages under its jurisdiction. However, the authority has largely depended on temporary officers and contractual staff for both senior and support roles. In light of this, the state government recently extended the contract with National Security, the company providing these temporary employees, until September, as PMRDA prepares to revise its contractual agreements and invite new proposals.

Although the organisational structure of PMRDA had been approved earlier, the Recruitment Procedure Rules for Service Entry and Classification of Services (Regulation 2023) faced delays, stalling the recruitment process. These delays persisted despite repeated follow-ups, as the final number of recruits and required manpower could not be finalised.

However, the situation has changed with the issuance of a government order by Subrao Shinde, Joint Secretary of the Urban Development Department, enabling PMRDA to move forward. The service rules for various departments have now been established and published.

Providing further clarity, PMRDA’s Joint Commissioner of Administration, Sunil Pande, stated that the recruitment process, now cleared for commencement, is expected to take about a year. The MPSC will handle the recruitment of A and B category posts, while District Selection Committees will oversee the hiring for C and D category positions. Additionally, employees who were previously part of the Navnagar Development Authority and joined PMRDA following the merger will be considered for promotion.

There have been growing complaints about PMRDA’s contract employees, particularly in the encroachment and engineering departments. Although these complaints have been ongoing, direct action had been limited until recently. The situation escalated after some of these grievances were brought to the attention of the chief minister, resulting in the dismissal of 16 junior engineers. IPS officer and Anti-Encroachment Squad Chief, Amol Tambe, has now been assigned to address these issues, causing concern among other employees about potential disciplinary actions.

With the approval of the independent organisational structure, nearly 400 new employees will be recruited, reducing the reliance on contractual staff. However, certain roles, such as constables and other assistants, will continue to be filled on a contractual basis.