PSC rank holders who are protesting in front of the Secretariat have raised serious allegations against Co-operation and Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran after their meeting. Laya Rajesh, a representative of the rank holders, claimed that the minister had asked her whether there is any assurance that she would get a job even if the rank list were extended for ten years. Besides, the minister told them that they have embarrassed the government.
On Monday, the compromise talks between the government and the protestors were held at the minister's residence. However, the rank holders claimed that the attitude of the minister was not very favourable to them. Laya said that the response from the minister disappointed them.
“We tried to apprise the minister of our troubles, but instead, he asked about my rank and stated that I will not get the job even if the rank list was extended for ten years. He then asked why I was protesting,” said Laya. She added that they have decided to continue the protest if there is no positive response and they are planning to start a hunger strike. “Neither the government nor the ministers have any idea why the PSC rank holders are protesting even after 28 days,” she added. The PSC rank holders said that a chief secretary-level meeting would be convened today to discuss the matter.
Meanwhile, Kadakampally Surendran has denied allegations that he misbehaved with the PSC candidates who came to meet him demanding the extension of the rank list. However, he admitted that he had asked a female candidate whose rank was above 500 whether she would get a job even if the rank list was extended for another 10 years.
