Paradip, July 6: Backlog of vacancies continues to pose stumbling block for functioning of the state’s lone major port here.

As many as 672 posts are lying unoccupied right from Grade I to Grade IV level.

Thirty Grade I post are vacant, while 70 Grade II posts, 572 Grade III and Grade IV posts are lying vacant with periodic retirement of employees, who are on payroll.

Many departments of the administration are left vaccant. The port secretary, a key post, has been lying unoccupied since October last. The posts of secretary, senior deputy secretary, pilot executive assistant executive engineers of electrical, civil and mechanical, executive engineer (electrical) are also lying vacant. Aggravating the situation further is the existing vacancies in downstream posts and ministerial staffs.

The port accounts for over 2,500 sanctioned posts of both officers and employees. A number of 672 posts in key wings, including the administrative head ones, are lying vacant. To meet with the exigencies of the situation, the Paradip Port Trust has engaged 600 casual workers.

Several ministerial staffs’ posts have got abolished as it has been lying unmanned for over a year. According to the Union ministry of shipping guidelines and rules framed for the country’s 13 major ports, a ministerial staff post ceases to exist if it is not filled up within a year.

Port chairman Sudhansu Sekhar Mishra said: “Steps have been initiated to fill up of vacant posts.” Port trust member and former MP Pravat Kumar Samantray, however, alleged that the Union shipping ministry was not making efforts to fill up the vacancies in the key administrative wings of the port.

“The existing vacancies have taken a toll on infrastructure expansion projects and cargo-handling operation of the port,” he said.