Political Leaders Stage Protest Over Unfulfilled Job Promises
Two prominent MLAs from Gujarat took their fight for employment rights to the doorstep of power distribution company Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (DGVCL) in Surat on Friday. Congress MLA from Vansda, Anant Patel, and AAP MLA from Dediapada, Chaitar Vasava, organized a sit-in demonstration outside the DGVCL office located in Kapodra, demanding immediate action for over 1,800 candidates who had successfully cleared the examination for electrical assistant positions.
The Core Issue: Qualified Candidates Overlooked
The protest highlighted what the MLAs described as a grave injustice toward qualified job seekers. Anant Patel expressed strong dissatisfaction with DGVCL's hiring practices, stating, "Very few candidates have been recruited by DGVCL out of 1,800 who cleared the exam. Instead of recruiting the trained and qualified candidates, DGVCL is hiring contractual employees for the same work."
This statement underscores the central complaint that while numerous candidates had invested time and effort to qualify through proper examination channels, the company was allegedly bypassing them in favor of contractual appointments. The MLAs argued this approach not only denied deserving candidates their rightful employment but also potentially compromised job security and worker benefits.
DGVCL's Official Response and Statistics
In response to the protest and allegations, DGVCL issued an official statement providing their perspective on the employment situation. The power distribution company revealed that a total of 2,906 posts for electrical assistants are officially approved within their organization.
The discom further clarified that 195 positions have been filled in the last six months, indicating some recruitment activity had indeed taken place. However, the company's most significant claim was that all approved posts are currently occupied and no vacancies exist at present.
This position creates a clear contradiction between the protesters' demands and the company's stated capacity to hire additional staff. The situation leaves the 1,800 qualified candidates in employment limbo, having cleared the necessary examinations but finding no available positions despite their qualifications.
Broader Implications for Employment in Gujarat
The protest at DGVCL's Kapodra office reflects larger concerns about employment patterns in the region. The participation of MLAs from two different political parties demonstrates the cross-political concern regarding job availability for qualified candidates.
The situation raises important questions about the transparency of recruitment processes in public sector companies and the balance between permanent and contractual employment. For the 1,800 candidates who invested time and resources to qualify for these positions, the outcome of this protest could determine their professional futures and set precedents for how similar situations are handled across other government enterprises.
As the standoff continues, all eyes remain on DGVCL management and whether a compromise can be reached that addresses both the company's operational constraints and the legitimate employment expectations of qualified candidates.
