As part of its administrative reforms, the State government has decided to dispense with the procedure of obtaining concurrence of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) for regularising the services of individuals appointed on compassionate grounds.
The State government in 1977 formulated norms and guidelines for appointments on compassionate ground in entry-level posts — junior assistants in ministerial service/assistant in secretariat service /record clerk/ office assistant/field assistant. As per the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission Regulations, 1954, the approval of the TNPSC is required for regularising the services of such candidates. In 1998, the Head of Departments were delegated powers to regularise the services without consulting either the government or the commission.
A year later, the the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission said the posts of junior assistant, typist and steno-typist were under its purview and if appointments were made without its concurrence, the purpose of the scheme of compassionate grounds would be defeated. Following this, the government revoked its decision.
In 2016, the government decided to regularise the service of such candidates who were appointed till February 1, 2016, where relaxation of rules was not warranted, and then send such proposals to the TNPSC for concurrence. However, the government recently proposed to again dispense with the procedure of obtaining the concurrence of the TNPSC in such cases and sought the opinion of the commission.
Suitable mechanism
The Secretary of the commission suggested that a suitable mechanism be evolved. “After careful examination, and as a simplification and proactive measure, the government directs to dispense with the procedure of obtaining the concurrence of the the TNPSC for regularising the services of individuals appointed under compassionate grounds,” a G.O. issued in this regard said.
