Dimapur | November 2 : Without doubt one of the most significant of decisions taken by the Nagaland state Cabinet this year, the State government has conceded to the demands of the agitating “aggrieved teachers” in the state. The Cabinet has decided to ‘reappoint them’ – but, strangely, ‘only if there are vacancies.’
Two other important decisions that the Cabinet has taken concerned with the controversial “special recruitment drive” and the second, enhancement of financial perks for field workers in the Electricity department. The Nagaland Cabinet met November 2 today in Kohima where a slew of decisions – all associated with some of the most contentious issues currently facing the recruitment sector in the state – were taken.
A highly-reliable source disclosed to The Morung Express tonight that the Cabinet has decided to “agree” with the demands of the agitating “aggrieved teachers.” The “aggrieved teachers” are members of the Aggrieved Teachers Association of Nagaland (ATAN) who were on hunger strike in October pressing the government for reinstatement of the “aggrieved” members. The members include those who came under the scanner of the government over issues associated with the “bogus teachers” scandal that exploded in 2008. The “bogus teachers” scandal has since then been one of the biggest thorns in the Neiphiu Rio–led state government’s side.
The source, a Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government leader, said that the Cabinet has “agreed to reappoint the aggrieved teachers if there are vacancies in the districts.” Readers may recall here that earlier the government had notified that teachers are to be appointed to posts in areas from whey they hail and/or associated with their own linguistic and tribal district “to overcome the linguistic barrier.”
The source was queried on the bizarre nature of the decision that the teachers would be appointed ‘only if there are vacancies in their districts.’ If there are no vacancies, the source said, the teachers would not be appointed in any case, because the ‘government cannot appoint persons where there are no posts to appoint one to.’
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No further details could be had on this particular issue. Another decision the Cabinet took was in conceding to the demands of the All Nagaland Electricity Field Workers’ Association (ANEFWA). The association had served an ultimatum against the Nagaland state Power department to address four demands within 30 days. The demands include creation of 381 posts and regularization and filling up all vacancies in all categories of posts; enhancement of risk-allowances from Rs.50 to Rs.300 similar to that of regular employees. Another demand the Power field workers made to the government was for uniform allowances of Rs. 700 (from Rs.500).
The source simply said that the Cabinet has “agreed” to the demands of the field workers such as for risk allowances and enhancement of perks and remuneration. No detail could be obtained concerning whether the government agreed to regularize the posts, fill the vacancies or create the number of posts demanded by the association.
Likewise, the government has “done away” with the controversial “special recruitment drive” and is withheld now. The “special recruitment drive” refers to the state government’s recent decision to recruit 10 sub-divisional-level administrators, the Extra Assistant Commissioners (EACs), from “backward” and “less-represented” tribes in the state.
‘The Cabinet has decided to withhold the special recruitment. It would not be conducted,’ the source said. Queried whether “withhold” meant temporary suspension or total withdrawal of the action, the source simply said ‘it would not be conducted.’ No further details could be had concerning the said decision.
None of the members of the state Cabinet or the Chief Secretary of the Nagaland responded to the calls made to them by this newspaper.
Two other important decisions that the Cabinet has taken concerned with the controversial “special recruitment drive” and the second, enhancement of financial perks for field workers in the Electricity department. The Nagaland Cabinet met November 2 today in Kohima where a slew of decisions – all associated with some of the most contentious issues currently facing the recruitment sector in the state – were taken.
A highly-reliable source disclosed to The Morung Express tonight that the Cabinet has decided to “agree” with the demands of the agitating “aggrieved teachers.” The “aggrieved teachers” are members of the Aggrieved Teachers Association of Nagaland (ATAN) who were on hunger strike in October pressing the government for reinstatement of the “aggrieved” members. The members include those who came under the scanner of the government over issues associated with the “bogus teachers” scandal that exploded in 2008. The “bogus teachers” scandal has since then been one of the biggest thorns in the Neiphiu Rio–led state government’s side.
The source, a Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government leader, said that the Cabinet has “agreed to reappoint the aggrieved teachers if there are vacancies in the districts.” Readers may recall here that earlier the government had notified that teachers are to be appointed to posts in areas from whey they hail and/or associated with their own linguistic and tribal district “to overcome the linguistic barrier.”
The source was queried on the bizarre nature of the decision that the teachers would be appointed ‘only if there are vacancies in their districts.’ If there are no vacancies, the source said, the teachers would not be appointed in any case, because the ‘government cannot appoint persons where there are no posts to appoint one to.’
Continued on page 5
No further details could be had on this particular issue. Another decision the Cabinet took was in conceding to the demands of the All Nagaland Electricity Field Workers’ Association (ANEFWA). The association had served an ultimatum against the Nagaland state Power department to address four demands within 30 days. The demands include creation of 381 posts and regularization and filling up all vacancies in all categories of posts; enhancement of risk-allowances from Rs.50 to Rs.300 similar to that of regular employees. Another demand the Power field workers made to the government was for uniform allowances of Rs. 700 (from Rs.500).
The source simply said that the Cabinet has “agreed” to the demands of the field workers such as for risk allowances and enhancement of perks and remuneration. No detail could be obtained concerning whether the government agreed to regularize the posts, fill the vacancies or create the number of posts demanded by the association.
Likewise, the government has “done away” with the controversial “special recruitment drive” and is withheld now. The “special recruitment drive” refers to the state government’s recent decision to recruit 10 sub-divisional-level administrators, the Extra Assistant Commissioners (EACs), from “backward” and “less-represented” tribes in the state.
‘The Cabinet has decided to withhold the special recruitment. It would not be conducted,’ the source said. Queried whether “withhold” meant temporary suspension or total withdrawal of the action, the source simply said ‘it would not be conducted.’ No further details could be had concerning the said decision.
None of the members of the state Cabinet or the Chief Secretary of the Nagaland responded to the calls made to them by this newspaper.
