Government cracks down: Directs to report all vacancies to PSC within three weeks

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has directed all departments, including public sector institutions, to report all existing vacancies to the Public Service Commission (PSC) within three weeks. The responsibility for reporting the vacancies has been assigned to the heads of the departments.

The administrative reforms department has issued a letter warning officials against any delay or lapse in reporting the vacancies. The letter also directed administrative department secretaries to take strict action against officials who fail to comply with the directive.

Meantime, the government is expected to act soon on complaints regarding PSC recruitments that have reached the chief minister. There is also a possibility of an inquiry into alleged irregularities in recent recruitment processes.

The government's new move comes amid a series of allegations surrounding PSC examinations and appointments. Complaints have been raised over irregularities in interviews conducted by the PSC for appointments to the State Planning Board in 2019 and 2022. The candidates have alleged malpractice in interviews for key posts, including chief of the social service division, chief of the plan coordination division, and chief of the evaluation division.

The candidates claim that in the 2022 recruitment for the post of chief of the evaluation division, candidates who topped the written examination were pushed down the rank list after excessive interview marks were awarded to favoured candidates. An investigation into these allegations is presently underway.

Amid the controversy, a Facebook post by PSC member Saif Chakkuvally also drew attention. In the post, he said eternal truth, which remains the unwavering support of the voiceless, the excluded, and the helpless, must prevail.