LGSC Under Former Regime: 1,765 Illegal Recruitments Just Before Elections

During the tenure of the former General Manager of the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), a staggering 1,765 illegal recruitments were recorded, with a significant 998 occurring in the critical weeks leading up to the general elections.

Local government employees, working within municipalities and district councils, are seething with anger towards the government.

Bhanoodutt Beeharree, the former Chairperson of the LGSC, offered a curt response when contacted regarding this controversy, stating simply:“I have nothing to say about that.”

The LGSC, under the previous administration, is alleged to have recruited these individuals between January and October 2024, with a particularly alarming spike of 998 appointments made between 3 September and 3 October—just days before the elections.

This situation has been condemned by the Ministry of Local Government as a blatant display of authoritarianism and clientelism, leading to an investigation by the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC).

A Burden on Public Funds

From 1 January to 3 October 2024, the LGSC, the body responsible for recruitment in local councils, recorded no fewer than 1,765 appointments.

According to the Ministry of Local Government, 599 of these posts—primarily refuse collectors, labourers, and general workers—were filled without any budgetary provision.

This reckless recruitment has resulted in an additional financial burden of approximately Rs 10 million per month on public coffers.

The Outgoing Regime’s Solo Decisions

Disturbingly, 998 appointments made up 56.5% of the total were executed in the month immediately preceding the general elections.

For the Change Government, this represents a “manifest abuse of power.” It is believed that this operation was orchestrated in secrecy by the outgoing leadership of the LGSC, which was the sole decision-maker in 1,731 of the 1,765 cases documented.

Legal Nullification

In the wake of these revelations, the Attorney General’s Office declared all recruitments or promotions unilaterally decided by the Chairperson of the LGSC as legally void.

Yet, no action was taken until after 10 December 2024, despite whispers that such practices dated back to January 2022.

The administrative turmoil endured until 28 March 2025, when the LGSC was finally reconstituted.

During this prolonged crisis, the state could only watch helplessly as the fallout deepened.

Government’s Firm Stance

Anger simmers among the employees recruited under the previous administration. They refuse to yield to reason, demanding that the government reconsider its stance.

They cling to the fact that their appointments were made well before the Writ of Elections was issued in April 2024, hoping this will shield them from consequences.

On 16 May 2025, during a press conference, the Minister of Local Government, Ranjiv Woochit, left no room for ambiguity.

He categorically condemned the recruitment process as illegal and announced a fresh hiring campaign to begin the following Wednesday.

“From 1 January to 3 October 2024, 1,765 individuals were recruited illegally. Among them, 998 positions were filled on the eve of the general elections, between 3 September and 3 October 2024.

Of these 1,765 individuals, 1,731 were recruited solely by the Chairperson of the LGSC, either at their home, office, or elsewhere. This is a clearly illegal practice,” he explained.

The Minister further elucidated that, according to Article 4 of the Local Government Service Commission Act, this shadowy process flagrantly violated the established regulations, effectively meaning the Chairperson had “hijacked” the LGSC committee, rendering the decisions irrevocable.

Chronology of Events: A Tale of Turmoil and Uncertainty

On 10 December 2024, Ranjiv Woochit revealed that the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) had sought counsel from the State Law Office (SLO).

By 6 February 2025, the SLO had relayed its response to the commission. In tandem with this legal consultation, a new board of the LGSC was established, tasked with scrutinising the irregularities surrounding the recruitment of the 1,765 individuals.

“The recruitment process is illegal,” he asserted, casting a shadow over the legitimacy of the appointments.

Despite the precarious situation, Woochit urged the dismissed employees to reapply as soon as the new application forms were released.

According to his statements, approximately 3,000 positions would soon be available within local government, offering a glimmer of hope to those affected by this unfolding controversy.

Former Employees Outcry

The anger of ex-employees reverberated through district councils and municipal offices. Hundreds of former local government workers took to the streets, voicing their outrage following mass dismissals, which they deemed arbitrary despite having adhered to proper hiring procedures. Demonstrations erupted outside the district councils.

Source: Defi Media