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Dead PSC grave problem for public servants
By Shelani Perera
Transfers, promotions, retirement plans and extensions of hundreds of thousands of public servants have come to a standstill with the Independent Public Services Commission’s mandate lapsing on Friday.

The appointment of new members to the commission has been delayed as the appointing body — the Constitutional Council — is not functioning.
An official of the PSC said the salaries of public servants who were awaiting extensions would be affected as the Commission approval was needed while the pensions of those going on retirement might also be delayed.

The PSC which has a staff of about 150 is, however, continuing Secretarial functions as it receives about 40 letters daily. The letters, mainly related to grievances of public servants, are now just being filed for future action.
The Sunday Times learns that at last Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, the non-functioning of the PSC and the Constitutional Council was discussed.

The CC became non-functional largely over a dispute over the appointment of a representative of the Muslim parties. This dispute has now been sorted out and the Muslim parties have agreed on a nominee but more procedural problems still lie ahead. The Prime Minister and the Opposition leader now need to agree on this nominee and it must then be ratified by the new President who will make the appointment.

An additional dispute has arisen over the National Police Commission whose term also lapsed last month. Two special committees were appointed by the outgoing NPC chairman to carry out some of the NPC’s functions but the Attorney General has ruled that the legal validity of this committee is questionable.

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