Gandhinagar, Gujarat — In a decision that has sparked outrage among job aspirants and raised serious questions about transparency in public sector recruitment, the Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) unilaterally downgraded the post of Plant Operator Grade-1 (PO-1) to Electrical Assistant Plant Attendant Grade-1 (PA-1) without receiving approval from the state government.
The move has left 153 selected candidates in a state of shock and despair after investing nearly one and a half years in the recruitment process.
No Government Approval, No Pay Scale Defined
According to sources in the Energy & Petrochemicals Department, GETCO neither sought nor received approval for changing the designation or associated pay scale. The department has yet to approve the pay structure for the downgraded post, leaving the selected candidates without clarity on their compensation or job status.
“We completed all stages — from the qualifying exam to medical verification — by January 3. By the end of January, we were waiting for our offer letters. Instead, we received betrayal,” said Rakesh Bambhaniya, one of the affected candidates.
Minister’s Response Adds to Frustration
What has further added fuel to the fire is the alleged response from Energy Minister Kanu Desai, who, when approached by some candidates in April, reportedly advised them to “join a private company” if they wanted better pay — a statement perceived as dismissive by the aspirants.
“Is this the value of our hard work and patience? We prepared, passed the exams, and followed all due procedures. Now we’re told to go private?” questioned Bambhaniya.
Recruitment Process in Detail
The recruitment for 153 PO-1 posts began in 2023. Candidates successfully cleared the preliminary exam, main written test, and document and medical verification. On January 27, 2025, the final phase of circle preference filling was completed. Just as offer letters were expected, the unexpected downgrade surfaced.
Demands for Justice and Legal Action
Candidates are now demanding:
Immediate alternative job arrangements at par with the original post.
Legal action against GETCO officials responsible for bypassing government protocol.
Assurance that future public sector recruitments are not marred by such irregularities.
“Why should we suffer due to administrative negligence? This isn’t just a clerical error — it’s a breach of trust and process,” said another candidate.
The controversy has also raised broader concerns about recruitment ethics in Gujarat’s public sector utilities, particularly at a time when youth unemployment remains a sensitive issue.
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