Belagavi: The State Government will appoint 6,000 Pourakarmikas by the end of January 2018, said Minister for Municipal Administration Eshwara Khandre here recently.

Replying to MLA Madhu Bangarappa’s question, Minister Khandre said that the Government has also begun the recruitment process for 1,129 C and D group employees out of which 117 had already been appointed.

The rest of the vacant posts will be filled through KPSC and process is expected to be completed by March 2018, he added.

“The State Government has decided to continue with the services of retired employees until the completion of recruitment process. This apart, the draft policy for appointing 6,000 Pourakarmikas is also ready,” he added.

Later, JD(S) Deputy Leader in the Assembly Y.S.V. Datta and Madhu Bangarappa said that people had to face hardship owing to shortage of staff in Town Municipal Council (TMC) and City Municipal Council (CMC) and the existing officials were burdened with work.