A significant claim of 180,000 backdoor appointments has emerged in Kerala, during the eight-year administration of the Left Front government led by Pinarayi Vijayan. This allegation, brought forward by veteran Congress legislator Ramesh Chennithala, suggests these appointments were made outside of established procedures. Specifically, it’s alleged that these hirings bypassed the state’s Employment Exchange, raising serious concerns about fairness in government job placements.
Chennithala claims these appointments did not follow standard hiring practices. Instead, they reportedly avoided the Employment Exchange, which is meant to provide equal opportunities for all job seekers. He further alleges that these positions were filled by handpicked individuals, rather than those who went through the standard public service recruitment process. This method, according to Chennithala, has resulted in a system that favors certain individuals instead of fairly considering the most qualified candidates. Consequently, deserving individuals have reportedly been unfairly denied job prospects.
“These appointments sidestep the Employment Exchange, violating existing rules and procedures,” Chennithala emphasized. He also stated that this practice “undermines the principles of fairness and transparency in government hiring”. Therefore, he demanded an immediate investigation into the reported misconduct. Moreover, these actions potentially pose lasting impacts on the state’s public services.
The claims of widespread backdoor appointments have triggered calls for an inquiry and increased transparency in state job allocations. The alleged circumvention of the Employment Exchange and its established rules not only weakens trust in government institutions, but it also might negatively affect the future of public service in Kerala. Moreover, it could create more chances for political favoritism, potentially creating a system of unfair advantage. Thus, the alleged misconduct could have far-reaching consequences.