DIMAPUR, AUGUST 22 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has voiced its support for the Nagaland Medical Students Association (NMSA) in opposing the recent notification issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
The notification, dated August 20, 2024, invites only 98 doctors for a 'Special Recruitment Drive' for the posts of Class 1 Gazetted Medical Officers.
In its statement, the NVCO criticized the department's decision to conduct a departmental examination on August 26, 2024, followed by a viva voce on August 27 and 28. The organization argued that this process is beyond the department’s authority and is therefore illegal.
The NVCO accused the department of favoritism, nepotism, and corruption, urging it to stop repeating past mistakes and avoid compromising public interests for personal gain. The organization emphasized the need for equal opportunity for all eligible candidates through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) examination, quoting Aristotle's dictum: "Injustice arises when equals are treated unequally and also when unequals are treated equally."
NVCO President Kezhokhoto Savi cited Article 16 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of public employment. He stated that every government department in Nagaland, including the Department of Health and Family Welfare, must submit requisitions for vacant posts to the NPSC. He further condemned backdoor appointments, which the Supreme Court of India has described as "disgusting." Savi asserted that regularizing such appointments violates constitutional provisions and undermines the rule of law.
The NVCO pointed to several High Court rulings, including from the Madras High Court, which have called for an end to backdoor appointments in government jobs, arguing that they infringe on the fundamental rights of aspiring candidates, particularly those from rural and semi-urban areas.
The NVCO maintained that the department’s proposed examination for Medical Officer posts would effectively constitute a backdoor appointment, as it falls outside the department’s jurisdiction.
