Municipal Clerks Demoted to Peon, Sweeper Posts After Repeated Typing Failures
In a strict administrative action, nine clerks employed with the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation have been demoted to various Class IV positions, including roles such as peon, security guard, and sweeper. This decisive move comes after these employees failed to pass the mandatory Marathi typing examination despite being given four separate opportunities over an eight-month period from April to November 2025.
Failure to Meet Promotion Requirements Leads to Reversal
The affected employees had previously been promoted from their original Class IV posts to Class III clerical positions. However, this promotion was contingent upon successfully clearing the typing proficiency test. Municipal Commissioner G Sreekanth stated, "Overall, in the eight months between April and November 2025, despite being given four opportunities, the employees were not able to type in Marathi. This makes it clear that they are not eligible to work in the post of clerk typist."
The civic administration had issued show-cause notices to the nine clerks, asking them to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them. After reviewing their responses, officials determined that the explanations provided were insufficient and unsupportable. Furthermore, authorities noted that there was no observable improvement in the typing skills of these employees despite the multiple chances given to them.
Additional Penalties for Clerical Staff
In a related development, the annual increments of another eighteen members of the clerical staff have been withheld due to similar failures. These eighteen employees were recruited specifically for clerical posts but lacked the necessary typing competencies, failing the exam on four separate occasions as well.
Authorities clarified that the clerical employees whose increments have been suspended will only receive notional increments until they successfully pass the typing exam. Additionally, they will not be considered for any promotions until the examination requirement is fulfilled.
Action Based on Government Resolution
The municipal commissioner implemented these measures in accordance with a government resolution issued by the General Administration Department on September 12, 2016. This resolution outlines the mandatory skill requirements for clerical positions within municipal corporations and provides the framework for disciplinary actions in cases of non-compliance.
The demotions and withheld increments underscore the civic body's commitment to maintaining professional standards and ensuring that employees in clerical roles possess the essential skills required for their duties. This case highlights the importance of meeting specific job criteria, particularly in government positions where promotions and increments are tied to demonstrated competencies.
