Thiruvananthapuram: As the current government nears the end of its tenure, a flurry of appointments and creation of new posts has been observed. Efforts to convert temporary staff into permanent employees, alongside the creation of new posts, have been reported across multiple state institutions. Attempts at backdoor entry have been reported from SIEMAT Kerala, C-DIT, the Cooperative Investment Guarantee Fund Board, Cooperative Examination Board, Kerala Cooperative Development Welfare Fund Board and Film Development Corporation.

Following complaints, the Kerala High Court has sought a report from the Chief Secretary.

At the Cooperative Investment Guarantee Fund Board, a meeting chaired by the minister decided to expedite appointments. Five new positions, ranging from assistant manager to watchman, were created in quick succession. The government has approved these posts. Senior officials’ warnings that additional posts were unnecessary were reportedly ignored. The move appears aimed at completing appointments before the election notification is issued.

At the Kerala Cooperative Development Welfare Fund Board, efforts are underway to regularise 14 daily-wage employees. The rank list (PSC) for appointments appears to have been bypassed. Existing lists apply to posts such as system administrator, LD clerk, attender, and peon, with separate provisions for clerks and peons among special categories, including persons with disabilities.

Similarly, the Cooperative Examination Board has already decided to regularise four employees. At SIEMAT-Kerala, a list of 11 temporary staff has been submitted for cabinet consideration. 

High Court intervenes

The High Court has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, asking whether permanent appointments are being made illegally across state institutions.

During the first Pinarayi government, a case challenged the regularisation of temporary employees who had completed 10  years of service. The court had ruled that only one appointment could be made in each sanctioned post for humanitarian consideration and warned that no further such appointments should occur.

The latest moves, perceived as bypassing these directions, prompted a contempt petition, leading to the current High Court intervention.