Members of All India Association of NGOs (AIA NGOs) staged a peaceful protest during the lunch break at Gate No. 1 of Ordnance Factory Khamaria (OFK), demanding early resolution of several long-pending service and promotion-related issues, on Wednesday. The demonstration was organised following a call from the AIA NGOs Central Headquarters (CEHQ). Employees raised concerns over delays in promotions, departmental examinations, and compassionate appointments, urging the management to address the issues on priority. The key demands included immediate promotion of Master Craftsman (MCM) employees to Chargeman (CM) post by obtaining undertakings from affected employees, as promotions have been stalled due to an ongoing court case, timely conduct of Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs) for promotions from Chargeman (CM) to Junior Works Manager (JWM) and Junior Works Manager (Selection Grade). Immediate conduct of the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) for promotion from Chargeman to JWM, which employees said is long overdue.

 

Filling of 618 vacant JWM (Selection Grade) posts through direct promotions, as the LDCE for the cadre has not been conducted. Early promotion of Chargemen to address the shortage of officers in the cadre and Resumption of compassionate appointments which have remained pending. The employees also referred to a memorandum submitted on June 25, through the CGM to Chairman and Director General, Directorate of Ordnance (Coordination & Services). The memorandum sought early disposal of pending compassionate appointment cases, expedited promotions from MCM to Chargeman, timely conduct of DPCs across all cadres, and declaration of examination schedules for LDCE and Chargeman promotions to address growing dissatisfaction among employees. A large number of employees from the Khamaria branch were present during the protest.