Consultancy jobs not at the cost of PSC candidates: CM

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said service of professional consultancies for short tenures was imperative for any government when it deals with projects that leverage on cutting-edge technologies.
“As you are aware, contract/consultancy appointments for a maximum one-year period is indispensable. Such short-term appointments are made through consultancy companies when the government finds itself in need of the service of professionals with relevant experience. It happens when governments take up mammoth infrastructure projects or deals with projects that pivot on new technologies. Such appointments are made by ensuring ‘process integrity’. They are not government appointments. Such appointments need not to be referred to PSC,” chief minister said in his answer to the queries raised by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala regarding contract appointments and consultancy engagements under the LDF government. The copy of his answers to Ramesh’s questions was shared with media on Saturday.
CM said at least 10,000 more candidates got appointments in government services through PSC in the last four years as against the four-year rule of the former UDF government. “No consultants or contract employees appointed for specific projects have been absorbed into government service. Government was never reluctant in initiating action against such people if they get involved in unacceptable practices or their educational qualification is questioned. This government didn’t shy away from cancelling the contract of such people,” he said.
Unveiling the number of contract employees in service at present, Vijayan said the number was three times higher during UDF regime. Number of contract employees in government was close to 32,000 in 2011-12 and over 25,000 in 2012-13. However, it was only around 12,000 during 2020-21, he said.