Banner placed outside a directorate at the start of the pen-down strike called by the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on October 14. (Morung File Photo)
JCC Stance on Non-SCS IAS Induction
• Supports Non-SCS quota but for eligible officers only
• Firmly opposes attempt to induct officers who entered service through “backdoor, illegal or irregular appointments, without undergoing open competitive recruitment”
• DoPT reference: Oct 7, 2020 memo prohibits irregular appointments
• Calls on State Government, citizens, and civil society to uphold meritocracy, justice, and rule of law
Kohima, October 21 (MExN): The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of CANSSEA, FONSESA, NIDA, NSSA, and NF&ASA today clarified that it is not opposed to the induction of Non-State Civil Service (Non-SCS) officers per se into the IAS but “firmly objects to the inclusion of backdoor appointee(s)” in the Non-SCS quota.
According to the JCC, the issue essentially centres on the eligibility of officers proposed for IAS induction from other State services, excluding the State Civil Services such as the Nagaland Civil Service (NCS), which already has its own quota for promotion into the IAS.
The clarification came amid what the JCC termed “certain misinformation” in sections of the print media concerning the issue raised by the Committee.
The Committee reiterated its strong opposition to any attempt to induct officers who entered service through “backdoor, illegal, or irregular appointments” without undergoing open competitive recruitment.
Such practices, it maintained, violate the principles of meritocracy and equality of opportunity enshrined in the Constitution, erode public trust, and demoralise deserving officers who entered service through legitimate means.
Emphasising that the IAS represents the highest level of administrative recognition, the JCC asserted that the induction process must be transparent, fair, and constitutionally compliant. It warned that regularising or promoting officers appointed through irregular means would set a “dangerous precedent,” undermine recruitment institutions such as the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) and the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB), and compromise the integrity of the State’s administrative system.
The JCC reaffirmed its commitment to upholding merit, transparency, and fairness in public service recruitment and career progression. It also appealed to the State Government to ensure that only eligible officers recruited through open, competitive, and constitutional means are considered under the Non-SCS quota.
Citing the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Office Memorandum dated October 7, 2020, the JCC pointed out that appointments made without undergoing open competitive selection are considered irregular and that such persons “cannot be allowed to be inducted into the IAS.”
Finally, the JCC called upon all right-thinking citizens, intellectuals, student bodies, and civil society organisations to stand united in defending meritocracy, justice, and the rule of law in public service.
Pen-Down Strike Continues
Meanwhile, the JCC on Monday announced the continuation of its pen-down strike concerning the induction of Non-SCS officers into the IAS.
The decision follows a meeting with the Cabinet Sub-Committee held on October 20, where the JCC presented its demands regarding the selection process. The Sub-Committee was unable to accede to the demands and decided to place the matter before the State Cabinet for a final decision.
In view of the development, the JCC stated that the ongoing pen-down strike shall continue until further instructions or until the Government meets their demands. All previous modalities and instructions for the strike remain in force, it added.
The Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees Association (CANSSEA), Nagaland In-Service Doctors Association (NIDA), Nagaland Secretariat Service Association (NSSA), Nagaland Finance and Accounts Service Association (NF&ASA), and Federation of Nagaland State Engineering Service Association (FONSESA) form the JCC.
