THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An order including seventeen more in the personal staff of government chief whip Dr N Jayaraj has been issued. With this, the total employees rose to 24. The salary of them range from Rs 23000 to Rs one lakh. Of these, 14 will be appointed directly.

The government had granted seven in his personal staff when he took charge as the chief whip. A driver and personal assistant were among them. In addition, a new order was issued including 17 more. The new list includes a private secretary.

The job of a chief whip is to issue whip to the ruling front members when crucial proceedings which involve voting taking place in the assembly. In addition to the personal staff, five cops were granted to Dr Jayaraj. The DGP has directed the withdrawal of these policemen as there is no special security threat to the chief whip.

During the tenure of the Oommen Chandy Government, there was strong opposition from the Left for giving 30 personal staffs to P C George, the then chief whip.