NSF in ‘good conscience’ opposes PHED holding departmental exam

DIMAPUR, JANUARY 11 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) today affirmed its stand against the Nagaland Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) holding the proposed departmental exam for recruitment to various Group C posts. The exam is scheduled to be held on January 13. 

The NSF had on January 7 expressed its opposition to the holding of the exam and reiterated its stand for a complete ban of all departmental examinations for recruitment to Group C posts until the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) is implemented in the State. It had further asserted that all existing vacancies must be requisitioned solely through the NSSB.

A press release from the NSF President, Ninoto Awomi and General Secretary, Liremo R Kikon today said that it cannot “in good conscience” allow the proposed exam to take place. The federation said it is convinced that the proposed departmental exam “undermines the very principle of meritocracy which the federation has been staunchly advocating for the last many years.” 

“Further, it defeats the very principle of providing a level playing field to everyone aspiring to serve the State Government,” it added. 

The NSF cautioned that “if any actions in defiance of the above stated stand of the federation are initiated, the officials of the department shall be held solely responsible for any unwanted consequences thereafter.” It further appealed to all aspiring candidates to cooperate with the federation and abstain from the proposed departmental examination “in our collective bid to uphold and protect the future of the youths and students community.” 

Meanwhile, the NSF appreciated  Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and his cabinet colleagues for their efforts to ensure that reservation policy of the state is completely revamped and rationalised. 

It, however, said that the exercise needs to be completed in a time bound manner and an amicable solution to the issue of reservation and reservation policies, which has been stalling the NSSB, should be brought out before February 15.