ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is heading for a face-off with not only the unions but also some of its own officers in dealing with the issue of irregular promotions since 2007.

The matter related to the illegal and improper promotions made in the civic agency since 2007 has take a serious turn as the CBA union expressed lack of trust on the ongoing scrutiny process and even accused the top CDA management of nepotism.

The situation is becoming serious for the CDA management as not only the labour court - National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC) - but also the HR cell of the Supreme Court has asked the authority to provide the details of all improper upgradations.

“We have provided the details of 192 cases to the NIRC and also the apex court in which the irregularities have been proven,” said spokesman CDA Asim Khichi. “The courts have been informed that the process continued and more details would be presented to them.”

On the other hand, the unions are already in the field protesting against the process.

The CDA head office on Monday witnessed slogan chanting by the employees against their top management, especially the director general administration, Sohail Durrani.

The employees and union leaders accused the senior management of trying to sidetrack the issue to save certain individuals.

“The issue is to check those promotions that were illegal, but they are issuing show-cause notices even to employees who got promotions as per the agreement between the CBA union and the management,” said Mazdoor Union general secretary Chaudhry Mohammad Yasin.

He also warned the CDA administration of an agitation and even a strike if their demands were not met.

“Now they are trying to penalise a few persons in the name of inquiry and at the same time many people who got upgraded illegally have been spared,” he told Dawn.

“If there is any single case of irregular promotion or upgradation of service the competent authority - the CDA chairman or the member of that time - should be nominated in the first place.”

The DG administration, who heads the inquiry committee for the scrutiny of improper upgradations, said upgradations had to be within norms, and a gardener cannot become a deputy director.

He said show-cause notices sent to 15 persons had expired and reminders would be forwarded to them in a day or two.

“But any final decision against the employees getting undue promotions will be made ether by courts or the competent authority, the chairman of the CDA,” Mr Durrani added.

It may be noted that the human rights cell of the Supreme Court has expressed dissatisfaction over the reply forwarded to it by the authority.

The reply stated that around 400 employees had got improper promotions on the basis of their political approach or through extending monetary favours.

The HR cell on Monday asked the CDA to provide further information in this regard.

An official in the law wing of the CDA said the names of employees getting out-of-turn promotions could increase to 1,000.

But such a move would not only invite opposition from the unions but many officers who were on responsible posts when the promotions were made could move courts against the CDA management.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2014