A welcome decision

Compassionate appointment is given by the government not on merit but on mercy. So far the government has not been able to take action if those who get jobs in this way treat their kin mercilessly. The government had received many complaints that the dependents were not protected. On the basis of this, the cabinet meeting took the decision to seize 25 percent of the monthly basic salary of the government employees who do not look after their dependents after getting the appointment. This is to give the money to the deserving ones. This is a very welcome decision. Now this applies only to government employees. In the future, this should also be applied to PSUs like KSEB and KSRTC.

Compassionate appointments are provided by the government under the Samashwasa employment scheme. An affidavit to look after other dependents should be mandatorily given before the appointment. But the number of people who do not protect their dependents after getting a job has been increasing recently. It was revenue officer K. Chandradas's efforts that prompted the government to make such a law amendment. When Chandradas was working as a senior clerk in the Alappuzha Collectorate, he had received many complaints about neglect towards dependents. A complaint was also filed against an officer who reached the post of Tehsildar through a compassionate appointment. To find a solution to this, in the second proposal made through the Alappuzha Collector, a request was made to seize 25 percent of the salary of those who did not protect their dependents and give it to the deserving ones. The proposal was accepted by the government, but the Cabinet's approval was only received after a year's delay due to efforts to shelve its file. So the credit for this decision goes to Chandradas along with the government. This amendment also proves that some one-man struggle can be enough to fight injustices.

It is suggested that following Kerala, Tamil Nadu may also introduce this amendment. Chandradas had sent a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in this regard. In the reply sent by the Tamil Nadu Additional Chief Secretary, there is an indication that such an amendment will be implemented in Tamil Nadu soon. This is a model that all states in India can follow. If the Chief Secretary of the State informs the Chief Secretaries of other states explaining the amendment made by Kerala regarding the protection of dependents, it can be assumed that they too will not hesitate to follow this example.