Dimapur, July 10 (MExN): Accusing the Nagaland government of indulging in nepotism, the People for Democratic Rights (PDR) has demanded the cancellation of seven recent “backdoor/illegal appointments” under the Department of Tourism. Six of the seven appointees, it alleged, were children of officers in the Tourism department.
The PDR through a press release issued by Ihoto Shohe, Acting Chairman, PDR & Convenor, Search Committee claimed that the Tourism department “flouting all government rules” has appointed two Tourist Officers (TOs) which is above Tourist Assistants (TAs). The entry point in the department is Tourist Assistant, which should be recruited through NPSC, it pointed.
The appointment of the two Tourist Officers on June 4, 2016 “undermining and superseding” the cabinet memo order no. CAB/2/2013 dated May 12, 2016 which banned all temporary and contract appointments is a “tight slap” to the State Cabinet - the highest executive policy making body, it viewed. Further, the department appointed three Tourist Assistants on December 6, 2017 and another two Tourist Assistants on April 19, 2018, the release added.
The PDR questioned the provisions and service rules applied for the above appointments. It urged the Government of Nagaland to immediately cancel all the above mentioned “backdoor/illegal appointments” since the appointments made were in direct contravention to the Nagaland Tourism Service Rules, 2014, which was in force when the above seven appointments were made.
Pointing that the Service Rules Point no 5 (ii) states, “25% by direct recruitment and 75% by Departmental promotion of the lower grade in respect of Tourist Officers and any other equivalent Class – II Gazetted posts as shown in Schedule II,” the release further said that the two TOs were neither promoted nor directly recruited by the NPSC.
Service Rules no 5 (iii) also states, “100% direct recruitment in respect of Caretaker, Tourist Guide, Tourist Assistant, Receptionist Class – III Non-Gazetted posts who possess the requisite qualification,” PDR stated, adding the appointments of the five TAs are also in direct contravention to the aforementioned clause since they were not directly recruited through NPSC.
“The case of the above seven appointees is clearly a backdoor appointment and even if there was any approval from the Chief Minister to make such appointments, it is clearly outside the laid down rules,” the PDR press release asserted. This has resulted in eligible candidates being denied equal opportunity which is an infringement to Article 16 of the Indian Constitution, it added.
The PDR meanwhile cautioned that it will take legal course of action against the erring officers involved in the appointment process if the government does not take befitting action against them for misuse of office.
The organization also mentioned that regarding its press release published on June 18 in the local dailies on irregularities in Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection department, the PDR received response via email seeking opinion of PDR whether to publish their response in the local dailies. While the PDR reiterated that its response should be published for public consumption, the response till date is being delayed, the PDR said. Therefore, the LMCP has been asked to publish its response “after which the PDR would respond and take necessary steps as deemed fit.”
