DIMAPUR, APRIL 26 (MExN): The committee representing five non-backward tribes in Nagaland has issued a 30-day ultimatum to the state government, seeking action on their earlier demand for a review of the Nagaland Job Reservation Policy. The 5 Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy, constituted by the apex bodies namely Angami Public Organisation, Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Rengma Hoho and Sumi Hoho submitted a fresh representation to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on April 26.
The five-tribe committee had earlier submitted a memorandum on September 20, 2024, calling for immediate attention and reformation of the reservation policy for backward tribes in the state. However, they said that six months have passed without any response or action from the government.
The committee stated that the job reservation system has been in place for 47 years without a comprehensive review, despite the government’s earlier notification that it would be reviewed every ten years. A 1989 government order extended the existing policy “till further orders,” which remains in effect to date, the committee noted.
The committee further alleged that recommendations made by various past committees constituted to review the reservation policy have not been acted upon, barring limited implementation. Core issues such as the duration of reservation, internal reservation, multiple benefit access, creamy layer considerations, backlog posts, discrepancies in entry age, and internal inequalities have remained unaddressed, they said.
The committee expressed concern that the continuation of the current reservation system without reform risks creating economic imbalance and social unrest among Scheduled Tribes in the state. They reiterated their previous demand for either scrapping the existing policy or reserving the remaining unreserved quota exclusively for the five non-backward tribes, which they claim represent nearly 55% of the Scheduled Tribe population in Nagaland.
Terming the lack of government response as disappointing, the committee has now served a 30-day ultimatum to the state government as a final reminder.
