DIMAPUR, APRIL 23 (MExN): The Rising People’s Party (RPP) has voiced strong opposition to the recent regularisation of 147 Assistant Professors by the Nagaland Government.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the RPP criticised both the Minister for Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, and the State Cabinet led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, holding them jointly responsible for the decision.
The RPP alleged that the appointments were made without open recruitment through competitive examinations, and thus violate the Office Memorandum dated June 6, 2016, which bans contractual appointments in government departments.
In the interest of fairness and justice, the RPP called for the immediate removal of Temjen Imna Along from his ministerial post, referring also to a pending legal case involving the minister in the Bombay High Court. It argued that the Higher Education portfolio should be held by someone with "integrity and character" due to its importance to the student and youth communities.
With the 147 matter now becoming a prestige issue, the RPP noted that for the student community to back off without the issue being settled would have disastrous consequences for future generations. It emphasized that the just demands of CTAN and NNQF must be fulfilled.
The RPP criticised what it described as a delay tactic by the ruling NDPP-led government in constituting a committee to examine the issue, calling it “insulting, demeaning, and tone-deaf.”
The RPP further stated that the issue of contractual appointments is not limited to a single department and may surface in other departments as well. It, therefore, urged the CTAN, NNQF and NSF to seek from the state government its solemn undertaking that all contractual appointments done after June 6, 2016, is illegal and contrary to the Office Memorandum dated June 6 2016 banning contractual appointments.
It also stated that the government must refer all affected posts to the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) or the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) for recruitment through open examination.
