THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid the intense battle between the governor and the state government over the pensions of the ministers' personal staff, the government has given permission to the municipal presidents to appoint PAs at will. Representatives of political parties that rule municipalities may be appointed as PAs. The appointment will be on a contract basis or on daily basis on par with a clerk job. The order is meant to provide them with all the benefits including pension. The move comes at a time when there are lakhs of job seekers in the state who have been studying day and night and by paying money to coaching centers to pass the PSC exams.

With this, the presidents of all the 87 municipalities in the state can appoint whomever they want as personal assistants. The LDF, UDF and NDA are currently in power.

During the previous government, there was an order allowing one clerk in each of the respective municipalities to be the PA of the presidents. But the Chamber of Municipal Chairmen, an organization of muncipal presidents, wrote a letter to the government last November stating that it is not practical due to a shortage of clerks. In corporations, the PAs of the mayors are appointed from among the government employees on a deputation basis. Similarly, permission was sought to appoint PAs from outside the corporation on deputation basis, on contract or daily basis. The decision was made after considering this application.

If there is a deputation system, the government will not have any special financial obligation. When appointing such officers with experience in the administration have no other hindrances, outsiders are being appointed.

Municipalities-87

LDF-44

UDF-41

BJP-2

Salary up to Rs 21,175

The newly appointed PAs will receive a salary up to Rs 21,175 on a contract/daily basis on par with clerks.