THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A decision has been taken in the second Pinarayi government to appoint party leaders as personal staffs of CPM ministers. Ministers private secretaries will also be appointed from within the party.

The state secretariat which convened here today also decided not to increase the number of personal staffs of ministers. The decision is to continue with the present number of 25. The maximum age limit for staffs on deputation has been made 51. The decision is based on the ground that they should not retire before the term of the government ends.

Some appointments in the personal staff were controversial in the first Pinarayi government. The Left Front had issued a special directive as not to create any controversy this time. The appointments should be made after a clear study of staff members. However, some are try to get appointments by putting pressure at the party level.