THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rank holders on the PSC’s last grade servant (LGS) list, who have been protesting for the last 33 days before the Secretariat, have decided to end their agitation. The decision was taken after Sunday’s meeting with law minister A K Balan, here, who assured them that their main demands would be met.
“The minister took a favourable approach to our demands. In earlier discussions, we had demanded the appointment of candidates on our list as night watchmen or higher secondary office assistants or to temporary posts that are active for more than six months. We also put forward other demands such as timely promotions and reporting of vacancies to PSC. The government has, subject to the permission of the Election Commission, agreed to reduce the shift of night watchmen to eight hours and then initiate appointments to the vacancies thus arising from our rank list,” P Riju, one of the leaders of the agitating rank holders, said after the meeting.
“The minister assured us that fresh vacancies will be reported to PSC at the earliest,” he said.
However, those on the civil police officer (CPO) rank list decided to continue with their stir. Despite positive feelers from the meeting with Balan, they have demanded a written assurance from the government before calling off their agitation.
The government had earlier deputed additional chief secretary (home) T K Jose and ADGP (headquarters) Manoj Abraham to hold talks with protesters. Though the government earlier maintained that demands of rank holders are not permissible under existing rules and regulations, its U-turn is seen as part of an effort to leave no stone unturned to ensure maximum support for the LDF before the assembly election.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said talks held with rank holders is only a government ploy to save face. He wondered why the government that has turned down the concerns raised by protesters, till now, suddenly realized that their demands are genuine. As the election has been declared, the government will not be able to do anything for rank holders, he added.