The Chandigarh administration made a surprising move this week. They postponed interviews for the chief engineer position at the Municipal Corporation indefinitely. This decision caught many people off guard.
Last-Minute Notification Leaves Candidates in Limbo
Interviews were originally scheduled for Friday, January 16th. They were supposed to happen at the level of the UT chief secretary. However, authorities called them off without announcing a new date.
One candidate shared their experience with TOI. "We received our interview timings well in advance," they said. "But we got informed about the postponement just before the scheduled hour. Nobody explained the reason. They simply told us a new date would come once finalized."
Unprecedented Number of Applicants
This recruitment process marked a first in the Municipal Corporation's history. An impressive fourteen candidates applied for the chief engineer post. They came from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chandigarh itself.
With this sudden deferment, everyone wonders about the timeline. How soon will the administration move to appoint a regular chief engineer for the civic body? That question remains unanswered for now.
Current Arrangement Creates Workload Challenges
At present, UT Chief Engineer CB Ojha holds additional charge as MC Chief Engineer. He has been managing both roles for nearly two months. Sources indicate this dual responsibility creates difficulties.
The workload in both the UT administration and the Municipal Corporation is substantial. Handling them simultaneously proves challenging. This situation adds urgency to filling the position permanently.
Political Pressure for Timely Work Execution
Municipal Corporation elections are due in December 2026. This upcoming deadline increases pressure on current operations. Councillors from across all political parties want faster execution of works.
MC sources emphasize the need for dedicated officers. "We require focused leadership to maintain pace," they explained. "With elections approaching, efficient project completion becomes crucial."
Additional Vacancy in Public Health Wing
The engineering department faces another staffing gap. The position of Superintending Engineer for Public Health has been vacant for over a year. The UT administration plans to address this soon.
They will seek a fresh panel of candidates from Punjab and Haryana. An earlier attempt involved three senior engineers from Haryana. However, none of them appeared for their scheduled interview.
This no-show prompted officials to request a new candidate list. The administration hopes the next recruitment effort proves more successful.
