NEW DELHI: In a first, the
Central Public Works Department
(CPWD) may pick its chief from over two dozen engineering services, ranging from road and railway sectors to defence and border roads. Till now, only CPWD engineers were eligible for the post of director general (DG).
The housing and urban affairs ministry has put a draft notification on the proposed changes in recruitment rules and sought response from stakeholders.
The proposed change in rules for recruitment of DG is being seen as a move to induct talent from outside the organization. As per the proposal, a selection committee comprising Niti Aayog CEO, secretaries of personnel department and housing ministry, and an eminent expert nominated by housing minister will prepare a panel of applicants after their assessment, interview and multi-source feedback for the appointments committee of the cabinet, headed by the prime minister, to select the candidate.
The draft notification says that civil engineers in the rank of special secretaries and additional secretaries from services including Border Roads Engineering, Indian Skill Development, GSI Engineering, Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance and Central Architectural services can apply for the post. The applicant must be of not more than 58 years at the time of submitting application. While the successful candidate will remain DG for two years, the service can be extended.
CPWD executes major projects, including govt office and residential buildings, roads and fencing along borders. It is also executing the Central Vista revamp project. Data available on its website show that CPWD had work orders worth Rs 18,418 crore in 2021-22.
