Food corporation recruitment halted over fund shortage, candidates left in lurch

Bengaluru: The process to fill 386 posts in Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd (KFCSC), which has spanned nearly two years now, has suffered another setback with the finance department withholding approval. The finance department, which had earlier intervened over procedural lapses, cited financial constraints as a reason.
Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) had issued a recruitment notification on June 23, 2023, and conducted exams in Oct and Nov 2023. Final marks were announced on June 20 last year, and KFCSC recently shortlisted candidates in a 1:3 ratio for document verification. Now, at the 11th hour, the finance department has stepped in, questioning the lack of prior financial approval and has halted the process, leaving candidates in the lurch.
In Jan, the finance department wrote to MV Chandrakanth, KFCSC managing director, instructing him to halt recruitment "immediately" and submit a detailed financial report before proceeding. Despite multiple assurances from KFCSC officials, the finance department has now raised concerns over the availability of funds, putting the entire selection process on hold.
"There are some technical issues behind the delay. We will resolve them soon," Chandrakanth told TOI.
Sources say KFCSC had submitted a report to the secretary, food and civil supplies department, who had raised additional queries. "We will reply to these queries and submit a report to the finance department. We will seek approval to go ahead with the recruitment," an official said.
For many job aspirants, the delay has been frustrating. Some candidates had objected after their names were missing from the shortlist despite securing high marks. Others have been left in limbo, waiting for clarity on their future employment.
"We met KFCSC chairman BG Govindappa and Chandrakanth and urged them to expedite the appointments," said a candidate. "Govindappa assured us that the corporation will write to KEA to complete verification and publish the selection list. Chandrakanth also assured us that the corporation will take necessary steps to complete the selection process as soon as possible."
With the recruitment process stalled yet again, aspirants remain uncertain on when, or if, their appointments will be finalised. "It has been three years, and we are worried about our future. Most of us are age barred for other recruitments," said another candidate.