THRISSUR: With the predicament over Brahmapuram touching a crescendo, it evokes concern about the dearth of employees in the state pollution control board. The piled cases in the district office are all the responsibility of one environmental engineer and just a paltry three employees.

The 16 labs functioning in the state including Kochi’s central lab have an appalling four employees to take care of things. The district labs have just three or four contract workers. The absence of senior scientific assistants is palpable as the lab facilities are not utilized to the maximum.

In most district offices, there happens just an environmental engineer or his assistant to look after things. These are the only two posts that are hitherto permanent. These officers are burdened with the routine task of teaching the basics of work to contract workers for a definite period of time. Almost 80% of panchayats and municipalities work under these two officers' watch. Due to the arduous labor and the ensuing distress, many officers are planning voluntary retirement to end their careers short.

The current PSC interview which will determine the assistant engineers is a welcoming move. The senior scientist engineer examination is scheduled for June. The government in its affidavit to the High Court over the Brahmapuram issue will highlight the dearth of employees in offices.