Sports Council recommends regularisation of temporary staff

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Standing Committee of the State Sports Council has recommended to the government that 23 temporary employees with more than 10 years of service be given permanent appointments in regular posts. Among them, 12 are coaches, while 11 work as clerks and attenders.

The recommendation was sent following earlier government orders that had regularised temporary staff, even as several people, including international athletes, are still waiting for government jobs. There are also complaints that many on the list got their jobs through political influence and that deserving sportspersons were not considered. Allegations have also been raised that some of those included in the list were earlier removed over financial irregularities and later returned to service using influence.

However, Sports Council President U. Sharafali and Vice President M. R. Ranjith said that the council has not done anything illegal in this matter and has only followed past practices. They stated that the recommendation was made based on legal advice. M. R. Ranjith also said that the list includes people who have been working temporarily for nearly 18 years and some who are above 50 years of age, and that the recommendation was also made on humanitarian grounds.

Special rules still pending
Since 2011, sports ministers have been stating that appointments in the Sports Council would be handed over to the Public Service Commission (PSC) after framing special rules. However, this has not been implemented so far. Council officials said that the special rules have now been prepared and submitted to the government, and appointments will be given to the PSC if the government approves them.