'THE 1965 - 220 CASE' - Shri B. Ganga Raju remembers those days

22 Jul 15, 10:11 PM

B Ganga Raju: 

When HGA cadre was created they were meant to handle not 

routine work but work demanding higher knowledge. Then 

nobody foresaw that many would become qualified.

An Assistant could become a section head which was 

"supervisory" or a HGA which was " technical." The 

supervisory SHs were paid a special allowance of Rs.30, 

increased by 5 rupees every 5 years.

There were quarrels in branches also as to who is higher in rank, SH or HGA ? One was supervisory and another was of higher scale of pay. This created a peculiar situation.

SH could mark attendance. Then the famous case of " unequals being made equal " with abolition of SH cadre came. 220 HGAs were in a class by themselves. 1970s the decade was exciting.

There was a tribunal on promotion policy. HGA Assn., S.H. forum, Technically qualified but unpromoted Associates forum etc. were seen in full action.

1965 to 1977 there were no promotions and those eligible were quarreling amongst themselves.

When a new division like Dharwar was created interviews for 

SH posts were conducted at SZ office with candidates from all 

divisions appearing for interviews!

The vacancies were few and aspirants many. This situation 

became better only with decentralisation of work to Branches 

and creation of more branches.We were in AIIEA in those 

tempestuous days and clashed with category wise forums 

saying class struggle is more important than promotions.

Though all this is in no way related to problems of present 

pensioners, I must thank Sh. Rajamani, Subburathinam, MSM 

for reminding us of old days.