THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former minister and CPI leader C Divakaran criticised the salary hike of the Kerala Public Service Commission chairman and members. He also said that a study should be conducted to see if there is a need for a salary hike for PSC members in Kerala.

'The PSC chairman has a higher salary than the Chief Minister or the Prime Minister. PSC members get jobs without writing a single test. Appointments are made there based on the name given by the party office. Those who join like this, without writing a single test, are conducting tests for all employment-seeking youth in Kerala. This structure itself is wrong. The government can pay their salaries as it pleases. I have nothing to say about it,' said C Divakaran.

C Divakaran also asked the Chief Minister to resolve the strike of ASHA workers in front of the secretariat, demanding a salary hike as soon as possible. The strike has caught national attention. A settlement should be reached as soon as possible. C Divakaran also pointed out that if the Chief Minister intervenes, the Asha workers' strike will end in five minutes.

C Divakaran said that he will not weaken the LDF by publicly stating anything about the controversial issues of the brewery in Elappully and the KIIFB road toll. C Divakaran clarified that the CPI has conveyed its opinion in such matters to the front and the people.