In a symbolic protest on Saturday, Kerala's Lower Primary School Teacher rank holders ate grass outside the state Secretariat. The agitation, which has been continuing for over a month now, is being held to protest the government's delay in issuing appointment orders.
In a video shared by ANI, the protesters were seen sitting in a line outside the secretariat, with grass kept on a paper before them. The protesters were seen eating strands of grass. The agitation has crossed 34 days, highlighting the mounting frustration among the qualified candidates who were ranked in the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) rank list. The list had been published on May 31 last year.
Expressing disappointment over the lack of response by the government regarding the protest and delay in appointments, a protester said that no action had been taken. They accused the state government of remaining ignorant despite several forms of protest.
{{/usCountry}}Expressing disappointment over the lack of response by the government regarding the protest and delay in appointments, a protester said that no action had been taken. They accused the state government of remaining ignorant despite several forms of protest.
{{/usCountry}}“We are LPST rank holders. We have been protesting for 34 days. There is no good news from the government,” the protester told ANI, adding that the government had asked for two months' time to issue appointment orders. “I don't know why they need two months. We are trying different types of protests, but there has been no response from the government,” the protester said. “The government is not taking any action towards us and is trying to avoid us,” he added.
Kerala Police orders SIT to probe alleged irregularities
The case is linked to the alleged irregularities in the evaluation of the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) examination, conducted for Chief-level posts in the State Planning Board, ANI news agency reported. The candidates have claimed that they have been left to wait indefinitely without any updates on a formal placement.
The Kerala Police had last month said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Inspector General of Police S Ajeetha Begum, would investigate the case, according to ANI.
“As per the GO read above, the Government have directed the Crime Branch to conduct a comprehensive enquiry into the recent allegations regarding irregularities in the examinations conducted by the Kerala Public Service Commission,” an order by the police stated.
It added that an SIT would be constituted under the chairmanship of S Ajeetha Begum, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Economic Offence Wing Headquarters, Thiruvananthapuram. The order said this was being done taking into consideration the “gravity of the allegations and the importance of ensuring prompt enquiry.”