31 percent of MoTC employees under-educated

KABUL (SW): Salam Watandar’s findings indicate that up to 31 percent of high ranking employees at the Ministry of Trade and Commerce (MoTC) are only high-school graduates while many more are employed here contrary to their fields of study or without the approval of the President.

As per the findings, a thorough investigation into the MoTC has been conducted by the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission (IARCSC) and the High office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption (HOAC) and the findings have been shared with the MoTC.

The report has labelled the posts of as many as 31 percent employees in the administrative affairs at the MoTC with no higher education as against the laws. “As per the Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission rules, those working at such posts should posses at least graduation degree, and if employees working at these posts do not posses such degree it is considered violation of the law”.

Talking to Salam Watandar, Musafar Qoqandi, director media relations at the MoTC, said that some 45 percent of the employees at this ministry are either working out of their fields of study or are less qualified academically. He said that these employees have been appointed in the course of past 14 years and it is difficult now to dismiss them at once.

Other documents suggest that Humayoun Rasa, the Minister for Trade and Commerce has come short in formulating new appointments. The documents notes that 6 candidates have qualified for mid and lower ranking posts but the Minister is yet to appoint them.  

Shortcomings in the IDLG’s report

This 8-page report is marred by a number of short comings in regard to time delay and alleged collaboration between the staffers of the (IDLG), (IARCSC) and the (HOAC) with the MoTC. The name of Khan Rasul Qarlaq, MoTC’s director for licensing, has been written as Qazi Rasul. Similarly, the post of Deputy Minister Muzamil Shinwari has been altered to as deputy admin at the MoTC in the report.

Among the individuals marked as working at the MoTC in violation of rules include Mohammad Zarif Arghand, chief of the Afghan Cart Company that resonate the allegations made in a previous report:

http://www.salamwatandar.com/pashto/Article.aspx?a=11975

The report has name of employees whose appointment documents are completed that include not only interim heads but also those working out of their fields of study. For instance, the secretary to the minister Abdul Hakim has graduated in law and justice but is still working as interim. In the meantime, he is also appointment as member of a short listing committee.    

In spite of putting his name in the list of those working against their field of study, this fellow is listed as those with completed documents for appointment that clearly indicates influence upon the (IDLG), (IARCSC) and the (HOAC).

Also, the name of Gula Jan, director investigation at the MoTC is not included as less qualified. Another document suggests that the MoTC wrote a letter to the President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on 1/7/1395 in regard to reforms. The document stresses that in line with the IARSCS rules; graduation is the base for appointments but has been neglected in practical.  

The Minister Humayoun Rasa earned the vote of confidence from the parliament last year but has so far failed to address these issues and appoint fresh graduates at these posts. The prevailing situation clearly undermines President Ghani’s resolve to fight corruption.

ENDS