Dumka, Aug. 31: Governor K. Sankaranarayanan’s order to ensure jobs for members of primitive tribes has done little to change the fortune of Promila Malto. The 26-year-old Paharia girl has been looking for a government job since 2007. The wait is still on.

On August 10, Sankaranarayanan had asked the district administrations to create Grade-III and Grade-IV posts for appointment of members of primitive tribes. Graduates as well as those who have dropped out of schools after Class VIII can apply directly for the jobs.

But Promila, a resident of Ursha Pahar hamlet under Amdanda panchayat at Pathna block of Sahebganj district who had passed out from Sahebganj College in 2007, is yet to be benefited by the order. She had written a letter to the tribal welfare commissioner of Ranchi on June 30, 2007, requesting for a government job. Again on August 26, 2009, she wrote to the commissioner and the governor. But she did not get any response.

“Five Paharia youths from this district were provided jobs soon after the governor’s order. But I am being made to wait,” she complained.

Rama Paharia, the pradhan at Ursha Pahari, said that the case of Promila was an example of the state’s apathy towards the endangered Paharia community.

When contacted, deputy commissioner of Sahebganj K. Ravi Kumar, however, said: “I am aware of the directive, but I have not received any official communiqué either from the state or from the welfare department,” he said.

Speaking about the five youths who got jobs, Kumar pointed out: “The jobs were earlier sanctioned. Besides, I acted on a directive of the state and appointed the youths. As per norms, there should be proper notification from the state. Besides, the district establishment committee should also sanction posts. I cannot appoint any one on my own,” he added.

Block development officer, Pathna, Joy Joit Samanto, could not be contacted for comments. But some top district officials put the blame on the Sahebganj district administration.

“There must be some confusion or the official concerned ignored the directive of the governor,” a senior official said. “Deputy commissioners are empowered to give Grade IV jobs,” he added.