Body to probe hiring of sanitary workers

A three-member inquiry committee has been established to probe alleged irregularities in the hiring of 1,500 sanitary workers and 62 entomologists by the Rawalpindi District Health Authority.

The probe body has been tasked with completing the inquiry within seven days.

The recruitment process, which was initiated through an ongoing advertisement from the last financial year, has raised concerns due to its hasty completion. Notably, the recruitment committee was formed in a single day, followed by the completion of interviews with 4,800 candidates on the very next day. In a surprising turn of events, the merit list was prepared, and appointment letters were issued to 1,500 qualified candidates on the same day by the Director of Health Services Rawalpindi Division on behalf of the District Health Authority.

The inquiry committee comprises the Jhelum District Health Authority Chief Executive Officer as its convener, along with two members including the Chief Information Officer, District Health Authority Chakwal, and the District Health Officer, Preventive Attack Committee.

Objections have been raised by former sanitary patrols of the District Health Authority, including Muhammad Qasim Khan, Rafafat Hussain, Muhammad Omair, Bushra, and Malik Hamid Tanveer, regarding the recruitment process for 1,500 sanitary patrols and 62 etymologists for the anti-dengue campaign under the DHA.

The controversy began with an advertisement issued on March 10, 2024, which called for candidates to appear for an interview before the Recruitment Committee on March 11, just a day after the advertisement was published. However, the committee was formed in the new financial year 2024, on July 30, using the same advertisement.

In a surprising turn of events, 4800 candidates were notified for an interview on July 31, and their interviews were completed on the same day. Astonishingly, the merit list was prepared, and appointment letters were issued to 1,500 qualified candidates on July 31. This raises serious questions about the feasibility of completing the interviews of all 4800 candidates in a single day, as even if each candidate was interviewed for just one minute, it would have taken three days to complete the process.

The objectors argue that this recruitment process is not only completely illegal but also lacks transparency. They contend that instead of using the previous financial year's advertisement, a new advertisement should have been issued in the new financial year.

A letter has been sent to the relevant forums, outlining a pressing concern regarding the recent recruitment process. The letter stated that the District Health Authority is currently grappling with financial difficulties, including outstanding debts to POL and vendors who supply essential goods, raising a critical question how will the salaries of the above recruits be paid every month?

The Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department has explicitly stated in its letter dated May 11, 2023, that the District Health Authority cannot demand additional funds under any circumstances. Furthermore, the budgets for the financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25 cannot bear any additional financial burden.

This recruitment is also in clear violation of the Recruitment Policy 2022 of the Government of Punjab.

In response to the complaint filed by Muhammad Qasim Khan and others, the Ombudsman Punjab advised them to first register their complaint on the departmental forum. If no action is taken, they can reapply.

When contacted, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) District Health Authority (DHA) Dr Asif Arbab defended the recruitment process, stating that it is fully under legal requirements.