Kohima, August 17 (MExN): The Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench, on August 17, directed the Mission Vatsalya, Department of Social Welfare (DSW), Nagaland not the declare interview results of the advertisement dated 14.07.2023 for DPCUs without the Court’s consent.
“After hearing the parties at length this Court is of the view that the Interim order dated 11.08.2023 shall be modified to the extent that the result of the interview conducted pursuant to the Advertisement dated 14.07.2023 shall not be declared without the leave of this Court,” stated the order issued by Justice Kakheto Sema on Thursday.
Listing the matter for admission hearing on August 29, the Court directed the counsel for the Commissioner and Secretary, DSW; Director DSW; State Mission Director Mission Vatsalya DSW; and Member Secretary State Child Protection Society, Mission Vatsalya, DSW to the affidavit (in opposition) on or before August 21.
Rejoinder to the said affidavit, if any, shall be filed on or before August 24, it added.
The present case pertains to the writ petition filed by some Legal-cum-Probation Officer (LCPO), Protection Officer, Non-Institutional Care PO (NIC) and Protection Officer, Institutional Care under the establishment of the State Child Protection Society in different districts of the State of Nagaland.
In the petition, first heard on August 11, they challenged the July 14 advertisement issued by DSW for filing up various vacancies on contractual basis for District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) in Tseminyu, Chumukedima, Niuland, Noklak and Shamator under the Mission Vatsalya scheme.
The petitioners specifically challenged the Serial No 4 of the advertisement which provided that the applicant should be of 21-35 years of age and the age relaxation extended to the in-service as per the existing norms of the State Government.
The petitioners argued against the same maintaining that Mission Vatsalya does not prescribed any age limit for appointment under the DCPUs and therefore the Sl No. 4 “not only violates the guidelines of the scheme but also debars the petitioners from applying to various posts to which they are qualified.”
It was further contended that the post for District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) could not have been advertised (Sl No 1) as such officers are either appointed on deputation or contract as per the guidelines of the scheme and they are part of “selection committee for appointment of other personnel of the DCPU.”
While the petitioners have submitted the representation on July 19 to the concerned authorities at DSW for “amendment/modification of the Sl. No. 4 of the advertisement,” it did not evoke any response and hence, the former approached Court.
On August 11, the Court issued notices to the State respondents and directed that the July 14 advertisement will remain suspended till the prayer for interim is considered on August 17.
On Thursday, it modified the August 11 order and directed that the result of the interview conducted in pursuant of the advertisement shall not be declared without the leave of the Court.
