Impact of Non-unified Administrative Cadre on Compassionate Appointment Vacancies in Institutes

Introduction:

Compassionate Appointment is an important provision that allows for the appointment of dependents of deceased government employees. In the case of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the quota for Compassionate Appointment is set at 5% of the direct recruitment (DR) vacancies in Group C posts. However, due to the non-unification of the administrative cadre within ICAR, the vacancies under Compassionate Appointment often turn out to be meager for individual institutes. This note discusses the impact of the non-unified administrative cadre on the limited vacancies available for Compassionate Appointment in ICAR institutes.

Limited Vacancies and Non-unification of Administrative Cadre:

The absence of a unified administrative cadre structure within ICAR has a direct impact on the allocation of vacancies for Compassionate Appointment. The following factors contribute to the meager availability of vacancies in individual institutes:

1. Institute-based Vacancies: With the non-unified cadre structure, each ICAR institute is responsible for determining its own vacancies for Compassionate Appointment. This decentralized approach results in a fragmented allocation of vacancies across different institutes, leading to a limited number of vacancies in each institution.

2. Inconsistent DR Vacancies: The quota for Compassionate Appointment is calculated based on the DR vacancies in Group C posts. However, the inconsistency in DR vacancies across ICAR institutes further affects the availability of vacancies for Compassionate Appointment. Institutes with fewer DR vacancies will have a correspondingly lower number of vacancies for Compassionate Appointment.

3. Variation in Cadre Strength: The absence of a unified administrative cadre leads to variations in the cadre strength of administrative staff across ICAR institutes. Institutes with a smaller administrative cadre will have a limited number of vacancies available for Compassionate Appointment, thereby reducing the opportunities for eligible candidates.

Impact on Candidates and Institutes:

The meager availability of vacancies for Compassionate Appointment due to the non-unification of the administrative cadre has several implications:

1. Limited Employment Opportunities: The scarcity of Compassionate Appointment vacancies affects the employment prospects for dependents of deceased government employees within ICAR institutes. This situation may result in reduced access to stable employment and financial support for the affected families.

2. Unequal Distribution: The decentralized allocation of vacancies can lead to an unequal distribution of opportunities among eligible candidates. Institutes with a higher number of vacancies may attract a larger pool of applicants, potentially disadvantaging candidates from institutes with fewer vacancies.

3. Emotional and Financial Impact: The limited vacancies for Compassionate Appointment can cause emotional distress and financial instability for the dependents of deceased employees. The prolonged waiting period and uncertainty regarding employment add to the challenges faced by these families.

Recommendations:

To address the issue of limited Compassionate Appointment vacancies in ICAR institutes, the following measures can be considered:

1. Centralized Allocation: Establish a centralized mechanism for the allocation of Compassionate Appointment vacancies based on a fair and equitable distribution formula. This would ensure a more balanced and uniform allocation of vacancies across ICAR institutes.

2. Cadre Unification: Work towards the unification of the administrative cadre within ICAR, ensuring consistent cadre strength and job profiles across all institutes. This would help address the issue of varying vacancies and streamline the Compassionate Appointment process.

3. Increase DR Vacancies: Encourage ICAR institutes to create more DR vacancies in Group C posts, thereby increasing the overall pool of vacancies available for Compassionate Appointment.

4. Transparent Communication: Maintain transparent communication with the dependents of deceased employees, providing them with timely updates on the status of Compassionate Appointment vacancies and ensuring they are aware of the available opportunities.

Conclusion:

The non-unification of the administrative cadre in ICAR institutes has resulted in a limited number of vacancies for Compassionate Appointment. This situation poses challenges for eligible candidates who are dependent on the provision for employment and financial support.

To address this issue, it is crucial for ICAR to implement measures such as centralized allocation, cadre unification, and increasing direct recruitment vacancies. These steps would help ensure a fair and equitable distribution of Compassionate Appointment vacancies and provide greater opportunities for the dependents of deceased employees. By addressing the impact of the non-unified administrative cadre on limited vacancies, ICAR can enhance the effectiveness and fairness of the Compassionate Appointment process, thereby supporting the welfare of affected families.