Kerala PSC jobs delayed: Teacher rank holders eat grass in protest, seek appointments

After 34 days of protest, Kerala Lower Primary School Teacher (LPST) rank holders staged a symbolic protest by eating grass outside the Secretariat, alleging that the government had ignored their pleas for appointment orders. The protest continues amid a probe into alleged Kerala PSC exam irregularities.Appointments delay sparks Kerala LPST grass-eating protest outside Secretariat (Image: PTI)Frustration over a prolonged wait for government appointments took a dramatic turn on Saturday as Lower Primary School Teacher (LPST) rank holders symbolically ate grass outside the Kerala Secretariat, accusing the government of ignoring their repeated pleas.The protest, which has continued for 34 days, was staged by candidates who cleared the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) examination and were included in the rank list but are still waiting for appointment orders.The rank holders said they have resorted to increasingly symbolic forms of protest after receiving no clear assurance from the government. “We have been protesting for 34 days. There is no good news from the government. They asked for two months, but I don't know why they need two months,” one of the protesters said.He alleged that despite trying different forms of protest, the government had failed to respond to their concerns. “We are trying different types of protests, but there has been no response. The government is not taking any action towards us and is trying to avoid us,” he was quoted as saying by ANI. APPOINTMENT DELAY COMES AMID PSC CONTROVERSYThe dispute comes against the backdrop of allegations of irregularities in the evaluation of a Kerala PSC examination conducted for chief-level posts in the State Planning Board.The controversy has prompted the state government to order a detailed investigation. In July, the Kerala Police announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations. The SIT is headed by Inspector General of Police S Ajeetha Begum, while the Crime Branch has been entrusted with conducting a comprehensive investigation.SIT FORMED TO PROBE EXAMINATION IRREGULARITIESAccording to the government order, the Crime Branch was directed to investigate the allegations considering their “gravity” and the need for a prompt inquiry.The order said an SIT was constituted with immediate effect under the chairmanship of S Ajeetha Begum, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Economic Offence Wing Headquarters, Thiruvananthapuram.For the LPST rank holders, however, the investigation has done little to ease the uncertainty over their appointments. With the agitation entering its 34th day, the candidates are demanding that the government act on their appointment claims without further delay.- EndsPublished By: Apoorva AnandPublished On: Aug 9, 2026 11:54 IST