NNQF alleges state govt making back door appointments despite court order

DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 24 (MExN): The Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) has filed a Writ Petition (Civil) in the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench challenging the backdoor appointments of 175 post of Assistant Professor under the Higher Education Department, Nagaland.


Out of the 175 appointment made during 2009- 2018, 84 Assistant Professors were appointed without qualification, 75 were qualified but appointed without general advertisement, and 16 already regularized.
A press statement issued by the NNQF in this connection said it has also sought direction for advertisement of the 68 Assistant Professor and Librarian posts created vide notification NO.HE/ESTT/2-6/2007 dated 9.8.18 for the year 2018-19, followed by 42 posts within 2019-20 through NPSC.


The Forum also expressed surprise to find out that after filling the Writ Petition, the Higher Education Department did not furnish all the names of the backdoor appointed Assistant Professors in their RTI reply.


The Forum has therefore questioned the concerned PIO as to why complete information regarding appointments to various posts in the Higher Education Department was not furnished in the RTI response. In this regard, the Forum said it will approach the State Information Commission for necessary punitive action at an appropriate time.


Further, the Forum alleged that the State Government is continuing to appoint and regularize the service of the backdoor appointees by invoking Office Memorandum (OM) dated 4-8-2008 and O.M. dated 11-8-2016 which have been declared unconstitutional by the Court.


The Court while directing the State Government had observed that “The learned Addl. Sr. Government Advocate also fairly admits the aforesaid O.Ms having already declared invalid by the court. Accordingly, let there be no further regularization or appointments in terms of the said 2(two) OMs.”
The Forum therefore cautioned the department that if any appointments or regularization is resorted, it will invite contempt of court leading to more litigation.


The Forum meanwhile said it was formed against the backdrop of rampant backdoor appointments and non-advertisement of the 68 Assistant Professor and Librarian posts to be recruited within 2018-2019. With the various appeals in the form of memorandum, open letter and joint press releases with PSAN (Public Service Aspirants of Nagaland) going unheeded, the Forum said it was compelled to seek legal course of action.


It also sought to point out that the fund it has been able to mobilize till now to meet the legal expenses has come from the pockets of the aspirants and common people who believe in the fight for justice amidst the despair.
The Forum has therefore appealed the concerned public to support NNQF in all possible ways in the fight for justice.