Not yet appointed, Kerala PSC rank holders intensify agitation

As the PSC rank list would expire in six months, rank holders intensify agitation in front of Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. Meanwhile, the LDF Government stated that the protests are triggered by the Opposition in the wake of upcoming Assembly polls.

Thiruvananthapuram: The struggle is not yet over even after acing PSC exams, rank holders are knocking door-to-door to find a job in Kerala. “We do not have the support of any political party. In fact, some of us have worked for the Communist party. We have still not left the party. But, a job is important for us," said a protesting rank holder. The protestor is listed in the Public Service Commission (PSC) rank list which is about to expire in a few days.

Even as protests against the LDF Government’s backdoor appointments gain momentum, the Government blames the Opposition for instigating and triggering a protest before elections in front of the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram.

Finance Minister Thomas Isaac had stated that the Opposition has instigated the PSC rank holders agitation in front of the Secretariat. The rank holders refudiated the Minister's statement and intensified their agitations. The youngsters, who were listed in the PSC's Civil Police Officer rank list which has expired, are also on an indefinite strike.

As the protestors have come up raising their voice against backdoor appointments, there is no dearth of cyber attacks against them.

Reacting to the cyberbullying, one of the rank holders said that the cyberbullies do not know the pain of those who studied hard, got listed in the PSC rank list and now take to the streets seeking jobs. Though the validity period of the rank lists has been extended by six months by the Government, the protestors say that it is illogical.

As Covid-19 pandemic hindered government procedures, only a few people were appointed from the PSC rank list. Though the Government knew all the crisis we have been through, it turns a blind eye towards us, the rank holders allege.

Even though the Government has attempted to temporarily calm down the issue by extending the validity of rank lists by six months, no one relies on them.

As the Opposition parties rake up the issue of backdoor appointments by the LDF Government, PSC rank holders who have not got appointments even after qualifying examinations continue their protest in front of the Secretariat.