Dimapur, June 10 (MExN): The state government today declined the Naga Students’ Federation’s demand for an independent judicial investigation into embattled Nagaland Public Service Commission. Nonetheless, if later on the police’s investigation “is not able to establish the facts” an independent judicial probe can be considered. The government today responded to the number of demands made by the NSF to ‘cleansing’ the tainted commission. An official letter addressed to the NSF’s president from Temjen Toy, Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Nagaland was receive here today.
The government declined instating an independent judicial committee to probe into the case of tampering or manipulation of answer scripts in the NCS, NPS & Allied Services Examinations, 2008, and the Lecturers’ Recruitment Examinations, 2008. It will not be ‘conducive’ at this juncture as investigations into the matter in concern have already been initiated by the police, the government said. This was also elaborated in the Chief Secretary’s letter on June 3, 2009, the letter said.
“If a judicial inquiry is set up now it will tantamount to setting aside the investigation already conducted by the police. If, at a later stage, it is felt that the police investigation is not able to establish the facts of the case, then the issue of a judicial inquiry can be considered” the government said. Over the issue of terminating from service two NPSC officials found involved in “the incident”, the letter said, it can be decided only after the final verdict is pronounced by the court or by a departmental inquiry which will be conducted by the commission after the seized documents are released to the commission by the investigating agency.
Any punitive action taken against the two officials without awaiting the conclusion of ‘aforementioned exercises’ will be prejudiced, the letter said. It would tantamount to infringing upon their constitutional rights which will not stand legal scrutiny and so be to their advantage, the government explained.
The government then referred to the demand for revamping Nagaland Public Service Commission. It has been carried out to a “considerable extent” through a number of notifications in February, 2008, according to recommendations of the high power committee, the government said. These notifications are the Nagaland Public Service Commission (Chairman, Members & Staff) Regulations, 2008 and the Nagaland Public Service Commission (State Civil & Other Services), Recruitment Rules, 2008.
The government has also sanctioned one post each of Programmer and Computer Operator to strengthen the examination section of the Nagaland Public Service Commission.
“It is unfortunate that despite the appeal made by the government in view of the explanation given, the Naga Students’ Federation had resorted to the silent procession on 10th June, 2009” the letter said. The government requested the Naga Students’ Federation to desist from any course of action which may vitiate the atmosphere or create difficulties in the functioning of the Nagaland Public Service Commission. Instead, the government seeks the cooperation of the Naga Students’ Federation in order to speedily and effectively dispose the case at hand, it added.
