Promotion of Senior Clerk SDC to Accounts Clerk dt 20.01.2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Promotion of Senior Clerk
I am directed to enclose herewith a copy of letter No. 12-Estt/2004/2076/Estt, dated 21.12.2020 along with enclosures received from Chief Engineer (South Zone), Punjab Buildings Department, Lahore on the subject cited above, wherein he has submitted that Finance Department has up-graded the post of Accounts Clerk from BPS-11 to BPS-15 vide letter dated 26.07.2017 with the remarks that only those incumbents would avail up-gradation who are/were promoted from the post of Senior Clerk or SDC. He has also pointed out that service rules of the post of Accounts Clerk pertaining to West Pakistan Buildings and Roads Department (Circle) Ministerial Service vide notification dated 20.12.1963 provide the following criteria of promotion:
| NAME OF POST | MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATION | METHOD OF APPOINTMENT / RECRUITMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Clerk | Matric passed | By initial recruitment. |
| Senior Clerk | — | By promotion from amongst members of the service holding post of Junior Clerks in the circle where the vacancies occur with at least 2 years service as such. |
| Accounts Clerk | — | By promotion from amongst members of the service holding post of Senior Clerks in the circle where the vacancies occur who have passed the prescribed examination in accounts. |
- He has further stated that SE, Building Circle, Bahawalpur forwarded the case of Accounts Clerks while stating that posts of Accounts Clerks exist in the service rules 1963 which are filled by promotion from amongst SDC/Senior Clerks in the Circle and accordingly yearly budget is being released against sanctioned posts. SE, Building Circle, Bahawalpur further stated that some of the SDC/Senior Clerks have been promoted as Accounts Clerks in BPS-15 through DPC and their Service Books for pay fixation and change form to release the salary as per promoted scale were sent to the O/o District Accounts Officer, Bahawalpur which were not entertained on the plea that the post of Accounts Clerk has been re-designated as Junior Accountant BPS-11 and as Accountant BPS-15 as per FD notification dated 14.12.2018.
- Chief Engineer (South Zone), Punjab Buildings Department, Lahore has stated that the newly promoted Accounts Clerks are facing great hardship due to not fixation of their pay in BPS-15 by the District Accounts Officer, Bahawalpur as there is no sanctioned post of Junior Accountant and Accountant in the existing service rules.
- It is submitted that Finance Department vide above said letter has changed the nomenclature of the post of Accounts Clerk as Accountant with the observation that where the post of Accounts Clerk has been up-graded BS-15 due to being higher tier of Senior Clerk, it will be re-designated as Accountant and be separated from clerical cadre through amendment in service rules. But the service rules have not so far been amended and the incumbents have been promoted as Accounts Clerks as per existing service rules.
- I am, further directed to seek advice from Finance Department for actualization of promotion of above said officials/Accounts Clerks as the post of Accounts Clerk still exist in the service rules as the service rules have not so far been amended.
Will the Section Officer (E-IV), Government of the Punjab, Communication & Works Department, kindly refer to his letter No. SOE-IV(C&W)-13-1/2018, dated 20.01.2021, on the subject noted above?
2. The case has been examined. Finance Department observes that:
a) In light of Finance Department’s Notification No. FD.PC.40-43/2017(B) dated 14.12.2018, the post of Accounts Clerk (BS-15) stood re-designated as Accountant (BS-15) w.e.f. 14.12.2018 and was to be separated from clerical cadre through amendment in the service rules. Hence, Administrative Department may move the case for amendment in the Service Rules to the Service Rules Committee of S&GAD, accordingly.
b) If the incumbents were promoted as Accounts Clerk (BS-15) prior to 14.12.2018, they were rightly promoted. However, their posts stood re-designated as Accountant (BS-15) w.e.f. 14.12.2018.
c) If the incumbents were promoted as Accounts Clerk (BS-15) after 14.12.2018, they were not rightly promoted as their posts stood re-designated as Accountant (BS-15) w.e.f. 14.12.2018.
3. Administrative Department is further advised to approach Regulations Wing of S&GAD Department for confirmation of above views or otherwise, as the actualization of a promotion is their domain.
I am directed to enclose herewith a copy of letter No. 12-Estt/2004/2078/Estt, dated 21.12.2020 along with its enclosures received from Chief Engineer (South Zone), Punjab Buildings Department, Lahore.
- I am, further directed to state that this department has sought advice from Finance Department vide this department’s letter dated 20.01.2021 (copy enclosed) and now vide its letter No.FD.PC.40-43/2017(159/21)16804-16848 dated 07.06.2021, Finance Department has advised as under:-
The case has been examined. Finance Department observes that:
a) In light of Finance Department’s Notification No.FD.PC.40-43/2017(B) dated 14-12-2018, the post of Accounts Clerk (BS-15) stood re-designated as Accountant (BS-15) w.e.f. 14-12-2018 and was to be separated from clerical cadre through amendment in the Service Rules to the Service Rules Committee of S&GAD, accordingly.
b) If the incumbents were promoted as Accounts Clerk (BS-15) prior to 14-12-2018, they were rightly promoted. However, their posts stood re-designated as Accountant (BS-15) w.e.f. 14-12-2018.
c) If the incumbents were promoted as Accounts Clerks (BS-15) after 14-12-2018, they are not rightly promoted as their posts stood re-designated as Accountant (BS-15) w.e.f. 14-12-2018.
Administrative Department is further advised to approach Regulations Wing of S&GAD Department for confirmation of above views or otherwise, as the actualization of a promotion is in their domain.
- I am, therefore, directed to request to solicit an advice on the subject issue as recommended by Finance Department for actualization of promotion of the officials / Accounts Clerks mentioned in letter dated 21.12.2020 as the post of Accounts Clerk still exist in the service rules as the service rules have not so far been amended.
Reference your letter No. SOE-IV(C&W)13-1/2018/22120 dated 06.07.2021 on the subject noted above.
- The Regulations Wing, S&GAD has been examined and it is observed that the post of Head Clerks / Assistant is regulated under the service rules “The West Pakistan Buildings and Roads Department (Circle) Ministerial Service Rules, 1963” and the said post is required to be filled in as “By promotion from amongst members of the service holding the posts of Accounts Clerks in the Circle, where the vacancies occur, with at least three years service as such.” As far as views of the Finance Department contained in their letter dated 07.06.2021 are concerned, it is informed that since the post of Accounts Clerk (BS-15) stood re-designated as Accountant (BS-15) w.e.f. 14.12.2018, hence, views of the Finance Department as mentioned at (a)(b) & (c) of the letter dated 07.06.2021 are justifiable. The Administrative Department need to move a proposal for amendments in the service rules to reflect the redesignated nomenclatures of the posts in the rules in order to avoid any complications. However, the promotions made before redesignation of the post in question are valid.
