Talcher: The state government’s special employment exchange office at Balanda here in Angul district is presently struggling with many problems.
The office was opened way back in 1964 at a rented accommodation of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited. The office has since been running from here, at a rent of Rs 17,000 per annum.
Considering its present deplorable condition, it would be a sheer misnomer to call the facility a government office. Owing to lack of maintenance, the building is in a dilapidated condition. The torrential rain in the month of June came as the last nail.
While the rainwater is seeping through the roof, the electricity wiring has come off at many places. The waiting room has completely been damaged as a tree fell on it in June.
Staff shortage is another predicament that has been plaguing the smooth functioning of the office. Posts of one employment officer, two junior clerks, two peons and a night watchman have been lying vacant for a long time. A head clerk and a senior clerk are somehow managing the scene.
Every year about 1,500 young men get their names registered with this office. A total of 10, 335 candidates, out of which there are 2,047 females and 8,288 males, are still waiting for their turns to get a job.
It has been a source of dissatisfaction for local residents who allege despite earning hundreds of crore in revenue from this district, the state government is yet to give this office its own building.
When contacted, senior clerk Sanjay Parida said the higher officials have been intimated about the issues. MCL has been requested to get the building repaired. We hope they would undertake repair work soon, he added.
PNN