Retired officials loyal to Govt. recruited to Edu Service

Teachers' Union (CTU), yesterday accused the government of trying to recruit retired officials who are loyal to the government, to the Education Administrative Service. CTU General Secretary, Joseph Stalin, pointed out that the Secretary to the Western Province Ministry of Land and Public Administration, S.T. Kodikara, had called for applications from retired employees who are above 60 years, to fill vacancies in the Education Administrative Service. Stalin said, applications were called from retired staff, overlooking active State employees. He claimed that according to the public administration circular, retired employees cannot be recruited to the government service, and alleged the stipulation in this regard had been violated. "More than 37,000 applicants sat for the examination to recruit staff to the Education Administrative Service. After the examination, 410 candidates were given employment. However, on 28 May, more applications were called. Giving appointments to retired employees on contract basis is totally against the procedure," he charged. He said, recruiting retired employees based on political affiliations, would discourage other administrative officials, and added, the CTU has requested President's Secretary, Lalith Weeratunga, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Gotabhaya Jayaratne, to order the officials who are violating regulations in this regard to follow the proper procedure when recruiting people to the Education Administrative Service.