“Unlike other States, regular recruitments have not taken place in various departments at the State government level in Karnataka,” said Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary to the Energy Department.

Speaking after inaugurating the National Electrical Safety Week held here on Friday, Mr. Gupta said, “The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) is also not working in this direction. Every year, there should be a mandatory call and recruitment made for the post of Gazetted Probationers. For instance, if the cadre strength is 2000, then 2% to 3%, which is 40 to 60 new recruitments, should happen in every department.”

Mr. Gupta said that if the recruitment happens once in every ten years, then it gets difficult to work.

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has appointed two senior bureaucrats, including Mr. Gupta, to oversee the recruitment process in government departments.

“I am in charge of recruitment in 34 departments in the State. We are also getting permission to fill the vacancies in different boards and corporations. As per the government study, the growth of jobs in private sector is not up to the expectations. In 1990s and 2000s, the IT sector was booming and there was growth of jobs in private sector. I am glad that under the leadership of Mr. Shivakumar, filling of vacancies in government departments is being given importance.”

Funds for electrical safety awareness

Mr. Gupta announced that Escoms, distribution companies and other institutions in the Energy Department would dedicate ₹1 lakh each to create awareness about electrical safety on various media platforms.

He said, “Public awareness is a must for electrical safety, and it must be done without any delay. Additionally, sponsorships must be sought to bring funds for creating awareness. Major targets of electrical accidents are common people, animals and the staff in our own department. If such accidents are avoided, then financial burden on the department can also be reduced.”