Appointment of 12 out of 16 Cluster Coordinators from one community in Panchmahal raises eyebrows, calls for inquiry

A letter appointing candidates from one community to fill 12 out of 16 vacancies of Cluster Coordinator (cc) in Panchmahal, District Village Development Agency under the Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company Limited (GLPCL), Government of Gujarat has raised eyebrows and created a buzz in the corridors of power.

After the appointment letter was circulated, it became a hot topic of discussion among government officials, employees and in the local BJP circle. Some even demanded an investigation into the appointments.

To implement the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) scheme of the District Village Development Agency in Panchmahal, directions were given to fill the 16 vacancies of Cluster Coordinator at Taluka level.

Intimation was given by the senior general manager and director of GLPCL and a local outsourcing agency in Godhra was assigned to fill the eligible candidates. The agency selected 12 out of 16 persons from the same community and handed over the list of eligible candidates to GLPCL.

Orders were given to the Taluka Development Officers of Ghoghamba, Godhra, Halol, Kalol, Morwa Hadaf and Shehra of Panchmahal district to select candidates provided by the outsourcing  company.

NRLM is a poverty alleviation project implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. The scheme focuses on promoting self-employment among the rural poor. The Cluster Coordinator is paid ₹15,000.