The provisional government of NWFP is pursuing a policy of recruitment for low-paid employment through open auction. According to news item dated 21st January 2009, higher education department of NWFP cancelled the appointment of 38 low- paid employees. These employees were appointed on merit after advertised job interviews in December 2008. MPAs and legislators of the concerned districts were not happy with these merit-based appointments. Now the posts will be re-advertised and appointments will be made through open auction of the elected representatives. It is not for the first time that the ANP-PPP coalition in NWFP has done away with the merit-based policy of the former MMA government in the province. Last year, low paid jobs in the health department were filled up by the provincial government through a 'post for sale' policy. It is worth mentioning here that appointing authority for employment up to scale 7 is either EDO of the district or the principal of the institution. However the present treasury legislators want every appointment made in the provincial capital. For the sake of saving money and time I suggest the ANP-PPP coalition should advertise its rate of prices for class-4 to 7 posts so that well to do candidates can approach the MPAs, MNAs and ministers well in time. This will please the departed souls of Bacha Khan and Z.A. Bhutto too. -BASHIR HUSSAIN AZAD, Chitral, via e-mail, January 24.