Chandpur Correspondent

More than half of the authorized manpower in the Chandpur Roads Division is vacant. Currently, 40 out of 72 posts in the Roads Division are vacant. Various activities have been hampered due to manpower shortage for a long time. This is having a negative impact on various important public works.

In addition, two more people will retire this month and one in March. Despite repeated urgings to the higher authorities, nothing has been done. The posts remain vacant due to non-appointment of manpower.

It is learned that no manpower has been appointed in the Roads Division for grades 11 to 20 for a long time. Apart from this, the appointment of some officials is also stuck due to the complexity of the case. Letters have been sent to the higher authorities of Roads and Highways (SOWJ) several times informing them of the manpower shortage. The last time was in November last year, when the Executive Engineer of SOWJ visited Chandpur after the floods, the issue of manpower shortage also came up there. At that time, the Chief Engineer assured to solve the manpower crisis. But still no manpower has been appointed to the posts. In addition, the number of vacancies is increasing every month due to retirement.

According to Chandpur Road and Highways Department sources, out of the 72 posts approved under the Public Works Department in the district, 40 posts are vacant. Among these posts, there is no Sub-Divisional Engineer 1, Deputy Assistant Engineer (Civil) 3, Computer Operator 1, SAC (Cashier) 1, High Assistant 2, Work Supervisor 2, Draftsman 1, Office Assistant cum Computer Typist 5, Work Assistant 6, Tracer 1, Mechanic 1, Cash Assistant 1, Bitumen Mason 2, Office Assistant 2, Helper 1, Road Worker 4, Gardener 1, Stock Guard 2, Security Guard 3.

Those concerned say that due to the lack of manpower in the posts for a long time, there is a kind of stagnation in the office work. One person has to do the work of three people. This cannot continue. The officials and employees of the SOJ have demanded that manpower be appointed to fill the vacant posts.

Chandpur Road Department Executive Engineer Aliul Hossain said, "We have a manpower crisis. And if there is a shortage of manpower, the work will be somewhat disrupted, which is normal. Because, if there are three people, the work will not be done in the same way as if there was one person. The pressure falls on him. We have written to the higher authorities about the matter. Hopefully, the problem will be resolved."