Retired TEVTA official still at the job

GM Academ­ic contin­ues to work, enjoy perks despit­e retire­ment.

LAHORE:

The Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) general manager (GM) academic is continuing his assignment despite the expiry of his contract, The Express Tribune has learnt.

Javed Iqbal Malik retired on June 24 but has been attending office and using official facilities without the formal approval of competent authority.

In the last week of March, the former acting TEVTA chairman sent a summary to the chief secretary to re-employ Malik on a contract. It was returned with the ruling that there was “no need to retain the officer.”

However, Malik is still signing files, passing orders, using office and staff cars and conducting meetings with the heads of various institutions and his name remains on the TEVTA website. GM (academic) is responsible for developing syllabus and curriculum outlines for the courses offered by TEVTA to students. The perks and privileges of the officer are those of BS-21.TEVTA service regulations allow the TEVTA chairperson to hire the services of any person for 89 days but the candidate must be less than 60 years of age. Being above 60 years of age, Malik does not qualify for such an appointment.

Earlier in 2011, the government removed Sheikh Muhammad Farooq and Muhammad Iqbal working in TEVTA on contract after attaining superannuation under Supreme Court directions.Malik declined comment on the matter.

Khalid Mehmood, the TEVTA Chief Operating Officer, said that Malik was attending office in an informal capacity to complete work than remained incomplete during his tenure. He also said the chairperson was abroad and the question of reemploying Malik would be decided on his return.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2012.