Amid flak over ‘politically’ driven regularisation moves, Kerala govt seeks common guidelines

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: As the ruling government  nears the end of its tenure, state-run institutions are witnessing a surge in moves to make permanent appointments. 

The Administrative Reforms Department has been asked to frame common guidelines as multiple regularisation proposals reach the government simultaneously.

Lists of employees recommended for regularisation from bodies such as NORKA, Sports Council, Institute of Management in Government (IMG), Matsyafed and Consumerfed are currently under consideration.

Several of these proposals have triggered disputes. This comes even as regular recruitment processes in Consumerfed and Matsyafed have already been referred to the Public Service Commission (PSC), pointing to parallel and potentially conflicting approaches.

Sports Council under fire over exclusion of sportspersons

The Sports Council has come in for criticism over its regularisation list, which allegedly ignores reservation norms meant for sportspersons. A list of 10 individuals has been prepared for permanent appointment, none of whom are sportspersons.

Around 36 people, including sportspersons appointed in supernumerary posts, have worked in the Council for several years. Complaints allege that those now shortlisted were appointed during the current government’s tenure, allegedly on political considerations, while longer-serving staff were overlooked.

Matsyafed appointments raise court-related concerns

In the case of Matsyafed, concerns centre on earlier Kerala High Court observations that permanent appointments should not be made outside sanctioned posts. At present, all approved posts in Matsyafed already have permanent staff, yet efforts are reportedly under way to regularise employees in posts that do not formally exist.

These staff were allegedly appointed without written examinations or interviews. At the same time, recruitment steps are progressing in the Cooperative Deposit Guarantee Fund Board through the creation of new posts, adding to questions about consistency in staffing practices.

Past policy, IMG exclusions and legal risks

At IMG, the regularisation list has reportedly been drawn up on political grounds, excluding around 15 ministerial staff. Some of those included are said to have only two or three years of service.

During the first Pinarayi government, a general norm allowed regularisation of contract and daily wage workers with over 10 years of service. While the High Court accepted this on humanitarian grounds, it clearly stated that the measure was a one-time exercise limited to existing posts.

As a result, even if the Cabinet approves current regularisation proposals, the likelihood of legal challenges remains high.