The system of providing employment to one among the kin in the event of death of a person in government service was implemented in the state since 1970. In case of death of government employees, the spouse or children are given jobs according to their merit to protect the family. If the deceased is unmarried, parents or siblings are also considered. Compassionate appointment is permitted as per rules to the extent of five per cent of the total posts in each department but more than ten percent is done. The government is also speeding up the process to provide jobs to the kin of those who die in line of duty accidents. This job is like the government's mercy and no one considers this as a right.

Pay Commission reports have pointed out that those employed as part of compassionate appointments lags behind in efficiency. Compassionate appointees are employed in the belief that they will protect other members of the family. But the government had received many complaints that at least some people are behaving contrary to this. In the context of these complaints, the government amended the Compassionate Appointment Act on 21 February 2018. The first proposal was that the appointees should give an affidavit that they would protect the next of kin. It was also recommended that 20 percent of the salary of those who violate this guarantee be confiscated and given to their dependents. Later, taking into account the advice of the finance and legal departments, the amount deducted from the salary was fixed at 25 percent. If the employee is on leave without pay, the amount to be deducted from the salary should be credited to the account of the complainant in advance. If a complaint is received, the Tehsildar will conduct an investigation. The appellate authority is the Collector. Consent for deducting the conservatorship amount from salary should be given by the employee at the time of appointment. The government has prepared a draft law incorporating all these suggestions. This was approved by the Chief Minister this month. This amendment will be released as an ordinance after the approval of the cabinet.

It is the duty of those who are thus employed to protect their family, even without the law. But the number of people following this has decreased over time and there have been complaints that those who have been appointed are only looking after their own business. The compassionate appointee gets the job without any test or interview. So those who get jobs in this way have an obligation to protect their dependents. If there is no law for this, no one will obey. But the old trend of forgetting old dependents etc. after getting a job cannot be repeated when the new amendment comes into force. Although the number of compassionate appointments are small, it is hoped that the new amendment will create a financial situation for at least a few eligible dependents to receive protection.