Controversy Erupts Over PEB’s Assistant Engineer Recruitment

Digital Desk

The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (PEB) has announced recruitment for nearly 300 posts under Group-2 and Sub-Group-3, with applications open from November 12 to November 25. However, a major controversy has erupted after the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) objected to the inclusion of 17 Assistant Engineer (AE) posts in the list sent to the board without the approval of the Mayor-in-Council (MIC).

Corporation Raises Objection Over 17 Assistant Engineer Posts

The BMC has challenged the inclusion of 15 Civil, 1 Electrical, and 1 Mechanical Assistant Engineer posts, asserting that PEB lacks the authority to conduct recruitment for Class-II (second-class) positions.

Officials revealed that information about these posts was forwarded to PEB without MIC’s approval — a procedural violation for which retired Additional Commissioner M.K. Singh may face disciplinary action.

Issue Raised During Council Meeting

The matter surfaced on October 30 during a BMC council meeting, where BJP Councillor Devendra Bhargava pointed out that PEB cannot legally recruit Assistant Engineers without a formal council resolution.

According to records, the list was originally prepared during the COVID-19 period when the Divisional Commissioner was serving as the administrator. The same list was later sent to PEB in 2023 by the then Additional Commissioner, even though an elected council had been functioning since 2022.

Councillors argued that any such proposal should have first been presented before the MIC or at least informed to the Commissioner. Citing the procedural lapse, they have demanded cancellation of the recruitment process for the disputed posts.

Corporation Chairman Seeks Clarification Letter to PEB

Following the discussion, Corporation Chairman Suryavanshi directed Commissioner Sanskriti Jain to send an official letter to PEB requesting the removal of the 17 Assistant Engineer posts from the ongoing recruitment.

“A letter for second-class recruitment was sent incorrectly and against rules. Such appointments fall under the MIC’s authority,” Suryavanshi said, emphasizing that PEB can conduct exams only for Class-III and Class-IV employees, not for Class-II positions.

He further cautioned that even if PEB proceeds with the exam, those appointed may face administrative complications and “wander from office to office” due to the irregular process.

Recruitment Details and Categories

The recruitment list sent by the BMC included 15 Assistant Engineer (Civil) posts, 1 Mechanical, and 1 Electrical, making up the 17 disputed posts.
Vacancies were distributed across Unreserved, EWS, SC, ST, and OBC categories, with reservations for women, ex-servicemen, and persons with disabilities.

Earlier Letter Confirms PEB’s Limited Authority

In a directive dated July 14, 2022, Dr. Satyendra Singh, then Additional Commissioner of the Urban Administration and Development Department, instructed that:

Recruitment for Class-II posts must be initiated through the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) after MIC’s approval.
Recruitment for Class-III and Class-IV posts may be conducted by PEB.

This directive was issued following the May 11, 2022 Gazette notification of the state government.

Exam Schedule

Despite the controversy, PEB has announced that the examinations will take place from December 13 to 25, with two shifts daily — 9 AM to 12 PM and 3 PM to 6 PM.
Candidates are required to report one hour before the exam begins