Ranchi, May 15: Chief minister Madhu Koda’s promise of transparency in promotions and transfer at a seminar organised by the engineers’ association has been overlooked, at least by a minister.

When building construction minister Anosh Ekka recently approved of the Ranchi division executive engineer’s charge being given to an assistant engineer, he overlooked the fact that several executive engineers were already waiting for that post for a long time. Worse, at least 200 engineers in the department were senior to the assistant engineer chosen by the minister.

Moreover, the consent of PWD (roads) — the parent organisation of engineers working with the state government — was not sought before issuing the promotion order.

Koda heads the road construction department.

Ekka told The Telegraph blatantly that there was no need for permission from PWD (roads), since the issue was related to the smooth functioning of his department.

“He is now working with my department and it’s my duty to decide where he should be posted. I have only made him the officiating executive engineer, Ranchi. Postings of other engineers will be decided by the establishment committee,” he added.

Koda’s directive has been questioned in another case, too.

Recently, after over 87 junior engineers in West Singhbhum were found to have drawn huge amounts as advances for development work without keeping detailed accounts, Koda ordered necessary action against the executive and superintending engineers.

The executive engineer was transferred to Ranchi as an assistant engineer. But instead of assuming charge, he approached the judiciary with the complaint that since he had already been promoted to the executive rank by the REO, he could not be posted as an assistant engineer.

he chief minister admitted the “lapses” but refused to comment. He said that the cases were being examined and hinted that he would soon talk to the ministers to work out amicable solutions.