MUMBAI, INDIA – The Maharashtra government has planned to outsource 6,830 medical positions to private agencies. This move aims to streamline hiring before the state assembly polls.
Details of the recruitment plan
The recruitment will cover 1,730 semi-skilled and 5,100 unskilled positions. Included roles are lab technicians, operation theater assistants, medical social workers, office superintendents, clerks, security guards, drivers, data entry operators, and lift operators.
The hiring process is expected to begin between October and November.
The government’s order specifies that outsourcing should lead to a 20%–30% savings on expenditure, including salaries, compared to direct recruitment costs. A private recruitment agency will handle statutory liabilities such as provident funds, gratuity, and bonuses.
Background and previous controversy
This decision comes after last year’s controversial move by the Mahayuti government, which outsourced the hiring of approximately 75,000 officers to nine private firms.
The plan faced criticism, accusing the government of avoiding its promise to fill these posts with permanent employees.
The government clarified that the outsourcing was for temporary roles and that regular recruitment would continue. In October 2023, the empanelment of the private agencies was canceled.
Nine months later, the government has resumed outsourcing recruitment, aiming to fill necessary positions efficiently and economically in its medical colleges.
Principal secretary of the medical education department Dinesh Waghmare highlighted the differences between last year’s decision and this year’s approach.
“Earlier, it was mandatory to appoint the agency from selected empanelled agencies. Now, any agency that fulfils the eligibility criteria can fill the tender. The government has designated powers to the concerned departments to start the process to appoint agencies for recruitment through outsourcing.”
