Hamirpur, July 23

Seeking the early declaration of the result, candidates of post code 817 are protesting outside the Rajya Chayan Aayog here for the past five days.

The protesters had a tough time last night when their tent was uprooted by a storm. They set it up again in the morning.

The examination for the selection of JOA (IT) under post code 817 was conducted in 2021 by the Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission. The HPSSC was dissolved by the state government following the allegations of paper leak that led to arrest of its 24 staff members.

The government had given a nod to the Rajya Chayan Aayog to declare the result a few months ago. Pertinently, 1,855 candidates would be selected under the examination to fill vacancies in 73 departments of the state government. The vacancies were advertised in 2020 and the selection process was incomplete even after four years. It was learnt that over 1.2 lakh candidates had appeared in the exam across the state.

Saurabh Kumar, a candidate, said they would not lift their protest until the result was declared. He added that the authorities should understand the plight of the candidates who were waiting for the result for the past three years.

It is learnt that senior officials of the commission had gone to Shimla to seek permission from the government. The candidates had been assured that the result will be declared tomorrow.

RK Purthi, Chief Administrator of the Rajya Chayan Aayog, had said the preparation of the result was in final stages and could be declared any time.