Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Institute of Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Tribes (KIRTADS), Kozhikode, is embroiled in a controversy over the move to make permanent those who have been appointed on contract basis. The plan, which has the blessings of a pro-Left organisation, is to regularise four research officers and the deputy director and lecturer appointed on contract basis. It is alleged that this is in violation of the norms for appointment of officers with gazetted rank.
Sources said that as per the special rules approved in 2007, the qualification for the deputy director post is a second class post-graduate degree with an MPhil and PhD in anthropology, sociology or statistics. Besides, he/she should have seven years of research or teaching experience. However, those who are trying to get permanent posting through the backdoor have only a post-graduate degree, it is said. The backdoor appointments may affect the credibility of KIRTADS as one of the contract staff in question is working in the Vigilance wing which is entrusted with the task of identifying bogus caste certificates.
