Like ministers, chairpersons of corporations and municipalities have also been allowed to appoint personal staff of their choice. To put it mildly, this is an abuse of power. Mayors and municipal chairpersons have been allowed to hire one assistant each in the backdrop of their heavy workload. Although it is stipulated that the salaries of the chairpersons' PAs should be paid from their respective funds, these funds are also the tax money of the people. So, shouldn't this money be used legally and morally? Aren't these appointments, which are 100% political in nature, an injustice to thousands of job seekers who have been aiming for a government job for years?

The move to allow personal staff to municipal chairpersons comes at a time while the state is witnessing a controversy over the size of personal staff of ministers and the pensions being paid to them. As per the provision, the personal staff will be given a pension on completion of two years of service. The action of replacing personal staff with new ones every two years and allowing them pensions has been going on here for some time. Since all the ruling parties are involved in this, no party is ready to oppose this practice of leaking money from the treasury.

It is a good thing that someone is getting a job. However, we must remember that some people are able to sneak into the job using their influence in the party while several job seekers, who were named in the PSC rank lists, are waiting for a job for many years. It is noteworthy that even the opposition is not questioning the government in this matter.

Whether a member of the Panchayat, a Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of Parliament, one needs to be provided with living wages and benefits. Such a security system is essential to keep such persons away from corruption. However, it does not make sense when those, who voluntarily opt for public service, complain about the workload.

Each pay commission report specifically states that there are overstaffing in the government service. Recommendations to control the number of employees to reduce the pay burden have been made not only by the Pay Commissions but also by the Administrative Reforms Commission. Chairpersons of corporations and municipalities can easily find a personal assistant in their
own office. The mayors and chairpersons already have arrangements for that. The situation is such that candidates are unable to get justice even if the validity of a rank list is extended beyond four years. All parties must consider whether the decision to give jobs only to party members is in line with democratic governance.