Gujarat : Suspension Action Delayed in PGVCL Recruitment Malpractice Case

RAJKOT,GUJARAT : The Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd. (PGVCL) is facing delays in taking disciplinary action against 30 electrical assistants implicated in malpractice during recruitment exams over the past two years. Despite their suspension, no further actions have been initiated pending ongoing departmental inquiries and pending court cases.

In 2021, PGVCL conducted recruitment exams for electrical assistants in Rajkot through Success Infotech, which were marred by allegations of malpractice amounting to 10 to 15 lakhs. Following an investigation by the Surat Crime Branch, 30 candidates from Saurashtra-Kutch, under Rajkot PGVCL, were identified as suspicious, leading to their suspension over the past two years. The delay in taking further action is attributed to pending court cases and ongoing departmental inquiries.

A.R. Katara, Additional General Manager of HR Department at Rajkot PGVCL, confirmed that the recruitment exams were conducted across 30 centers in 2021. Subsequently, 11 employees were suspended in 2023, followed by the suspension of 19 more in 2024. Charge sheets have been ordered against all the suspended employees. The malpractice incidents were primarily reported at some examination centers managed by the outsourcing agency.

As a result of these developments, PGVCL officials in Rajkot have undergone significant transfers. Chief Engineer D.V. Lakhani has been relocated to Bhavnagar, while Additional Chief Engineer P.J. Mehtani has moved to Jamnagar. Superintendent Engineer Kiran J. Patel has been transferred to Porbandar, and Executive Engineer KN Waghmashi has relocated to Jamnagar. Deputy Engineer Dharti Antani has also been transferred to Kalyanpur.

The transfers are purportedly aimed at optimizing operational efficiency amidst the ongoing scrutiny and administrative changes within PGVCL. The company continues to grapple with the fallout from the recruitment malpractice scandal, navigating legal proceedings and internal investigations to ensure accountability and transparency.