KARACHI, Aug 29: Non-existence of human resource policy is causing immense complications in promotion, appointments and other organizational affairs in the city government.

Human resource policy was supposed to be formulated just after the inception of the city government to streamline the organizational structure of different departments. The policy had become more essential after the merger of two defunct entities Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Karachi Development Authority (KDA) in the city government.

Before the inception of city government, the defunct KDA was responsible for the construction of infrastructure and KMC had the responsibility of maintaining and repairing these projects. When the two defunct organizations were merged, it was supposed that both would have a uniform policy. However, no work has been done in this regard causing resentment among the employees of these organizations.

Employees of both defunct organizations accuse each other for taking extra benefits, which is badly affecting the performance of various departments.

KDA employees express their concern over the discrimination meted out to them in promotion matters and accuse higher authorities for adopting an unfair attitude in this regard. They say that the merger had not been implemented in its true sense, as the employees of defunct KMC are called the employees of city government but there is no such thing with KDA.

They allege that priority is given to KMC employees for promotions while giving examples of newly established departments like information technology, investment promotion and literacy where most of the employees promoted on higher slots belong to the defunct KMC.

On the other hand, KMC employees have their own reservations about this merger. They complain that benefits are being given to KDA employees, but the employees of defunct KMC are deprived of such benefits. In this regard, they refer to medical and other allowances that are being enjoyed by the KDA employees.

Employees of both the defunct entities question the need of devolution plan when nothing can be streamlined, as things are moving on the same pattern.

When an official concerned in Human Resource Management (HRM) was asked about the growing frustration among city government employees owing to the non-formulation of any human resource policy, he admitted that it was correct and such frustration was prevailing among the employees.

He said that many cases of promotion, appointment and other organizational matters were lying pending due to this problem and added that this could lead to serious situation.

Neither any planning had been done to finalize the human resource policy nor any indication from authorities had come in this regard, he said.

He said that the District Officer (DO) must be grade 18 officer, but there were many examples of DOs, below grade 18, who were working in the local bodies system.—PPI