ith a view to attract Foreign Direct Investment to the State, the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) has decided that the existing employees of the corporation must acquire a certified course on any one of the three foreign languages — Japanese, Chinese or Korean. A huge share of foreign investment to Haryana comes from these three countries.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Board of Directors of the HSIIDC on Monday. As per this, existing employees of the Estate and Infrastructure and Planning cadres must acquire a certified course on any one of the three languages within one year. Further, these employees will have to produce documentary proof of having taking up the desired course within six months.
It was also resolved that the Recruitment and Promotion Policy of the employees of the corporation be suitably amended by inserting the qualification of knowing a foreign language as mandatory for making recruitments.
The decision, however, has not gone down well with the staff. Not willing to be named, an Assistant Town Planner-rank official said that the corporation was already under-staffed, leading to increased burden on them. This new diktat, the official added, could prove to be the last straw on the camel’s back. “Also, one year courses would not be sufficient to master a foreign language. Instead of burdening its officials, the corporation should hire translators,” said another official.
In response to the employees’ reaction, HSIIDC Chief Town Planner, Arvind Mehtani, said that despite hiring translators it was mandatory for the officials to learn these languages. “We have hired a Japanese translator for the purpose, but if officials know the language it would be an added advantage,” said Mr. Mehtani.
The HSIIDC has also decided to fill up two posts of Relationship Managers on deputation basis for postings abroad.
HSIIDC is a public limited company owned by the Haryana government. It was set up as a catalyst for promoting and accelerating the pace of industrialisation in the State.
One-year courses would not be sufficient to master a foreign language. Instead of burdening its officials, the corporation should hire translators
