Holding the State government responsible for not filling up the vacant posts of technical staff in the Corporation, the LDF Council party leader M. Mohanan has said the issue has caused delay in the execution of development projects.
Mr. Mohanan in a press release said out of a total of 73 technical staff required, there was a shortage of two assistant executive engineers, six assistant engineers, 10 first grade overseers, and five third grade overseers.
Due to the shortage of employees, more than 1,300 people’s plan projects with a total allocated fund of Rs.100 crore had been stalled.
This was applicable in the wards of the 34 UDF councillors too, a fact which they did not realise, he said.
Appointments to local self government bodies are made through the Public Service Commission (PSC), which has to be done by the State government.
The Corporation could make appointments — through the Employment Exchange — only for those basic posts that are not part of the PSC rank lists.
The Corporation had already taken steps to fill the post of third grade overseer, he said.
“There is no government order which says that the Corporation has the power to conduct appointments in higher posts as the UDF councillors claim. Such posts are usually filled through promotions. The UDF councillors are trying to hide the mistakes of the government by spreading such misinformation,” said Mr. Mohanan.
“When the issue of shortage of staff was raised in the Corporation council on July 16, the Opposition created an unnecessary uproar. They are trying to mislead the public in this issue. The Corporation, which consisted of only 55 wards a few years ago, has been expanded to 75 wards with an increase in total area. When more employees were appointed in every department as part of the expansion, only two assistant engineers were appointed in the engineering section as the Calicut Development Authority (CDA)’s technical staff was then part of the Corporation,” said Mr. Mohanan.
Touching upon the Opposition’s allegation that the ruling party did not try to retain the CDA technical staff who were recalled with the reinstatement of the authority, he said
Mayor A.K. Premajam had written thrice to the Minister of Urban Affairs pressing this demand. But a reply was yet to come.
He also said in a press release on Monday that the State government had not paid the pension arrears.
