Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Nov 12: The Goa government has decided to gradually abolish junior stenographer and stenographer Grade II posts across government departments, corporations, autonomous bodies and public sector undertakings as and when they fall vacant. The directive, however, exempts the judiciary and court systems.

The personnel department said the decision was taken following a reassessment of the need for these posts in view of the widespread use of computers and the declining use of shorthand skills among government officers.

In an office memorandum, under secretary Durga Kinlekar stated that the growing use of computers for typing and the limited use of shorthand had prompted the government to review the requirement for junior stenographer posts across various departments and organisations.

Under the new policy, posts falling vacant due to retirement, promotion, resignation, death, termination, dismissal or any other reason will be automatically abolished. The concerned departments must issue an order formally abolishing the post within 60 days of the vacancy arising. A subsequent order must also be issued to notify the corresponding reduction in the sanctioned staff strength.

The decision will not affect employees currently serving in these cadres. They can continue in their existing positions until retirement or promotion, in accordance with the applicable service hierarchy and recruitment rules.

Higher-level posts, including senior stenographer and stenographer Grade I, will remain available for the career progression of existing employees. However, these posts will also be abolished automatically once no eligible personnel remain in the respective departments.

The memorandum further clarified that outsourced personnel engaged against junior stenographer posts may continue to be employed depending on the requirements of individual departments.