04 January,2010 08:52 AM IST | | Debarati Palit
Chief Fire Officer's post at Central Fire Brigade department vacant for past one-and-a-half years
The posts of Chief Fire Officer (CFO) and Assistant Chief Fire Officer are vacant for the last one-and-a-half years at the Central Fire-brigade office in Timber Market. Currently, both the posts are handled by Prashant Ranpise, assistant divisional fire officer.
Burdened with various responsibilities, Ranpise is unable to look at various issues bothering the employees.
According to a source from the department, not only is Ranpise burdened with work, but also he doesn't have the authority to take decisions on several matters.
He added, "We have numerous issues in the department. The employees have not been given uniforms for the last two years. The fire vehicles are used more by corporators to either put garlands on statues or wash them and less for official work. But he doesn't have the power to object to these issues."
It seems the PMC does not have the right candidate to fill the post, even though officials claim that that there are many capable candidates.
However, Ranpise feels that he could easily be given the post but the PMC is not considering it. He said, "There are certain criteria that have to be fulfilled before giving away the post. When L N Raut resigned from the post I could have easily got the post, as I had the technical and educational qualification. However, they brought in Devendra Potphode who resigned after serving for a year or so."
After Potphode resigned, the responsibilities were directed to the security division of PMC, and Ranpise was asked to serve as the acting CFO and assistant chief fire officer.
