Dimapur, November 4 (MExN): The People for Democratic Rights (PDR) today informed that the Nagaland State Vigilance Commission (NSVC) has started inquiry into the alleged “backdoor appointment” of a person said to be the daughter of a former commissioner and secretary of the Department of Tourism. According to the PDR, her case, alongside several other cases, is already under investigation by the NSVC. According to the PDR, “Any in-service government servant, if s/he happens to be under Police/Vigilance investigation or any Inquiry for any reason, his/her promotion, appointment or retirement benefits are also withheld until his/her case/position is cleared through the investigation or inquiry. No person under Police/Vigilance investigation or any Inquiry for any reason is also not given any government appointment unless or until his/her case/position is cleared through the investigation or inquiry.” In view of this, the PDR asked the Department of Art & Culture not to issue an appointment letter to the candidate (who recently cleared NPSC as an Assistant Archivist at the Department) “unless her name is cleared” by the NSVC. It also urged the NPSC to “take note of the case and necessary action.” LMCP Department Meanwhile, the PDR found an officer attempting to get the job of Assistant Controller of the Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection (LMCP) Department for his daughter. This happens to be, according to the PDR, the same officer who the PDR had “earlier cautioned to stop lobbying with influential and powerful persons.” “The appointment of his daughter as Assistant Inspector…within a span of 3 months before completing the required regularization period is also under Vigilance investigation,” stated the group. According to the PDR, “A person whose name is currently under investigation should never be recommended for promotion unless the case is cleared by the Vigilance.” “With her earlier appointment and promotion having been orchestrated under high profile case of nepotism and favouritism,” the PDR pointed out that “there are four candidates who got selected through NPSC in the year 2015 and they deserve promotion more than her as they came out through open competitive exam.” It also reminded that “there are two more senior inspectors who were appointed way back in 2004 and 2005 and they too deserve promotion more than the officer’s daughter.” It cautioned the said officer to “stop all sorts of objectionable lobby(ing) both within and outside the department/government.” At the same time, PDR reiterated its demand to the government to send the incumbent HoD, LMCP on leave so that the NSVC can conduct a free and fair inquiry. Drawing upon the ‘zero tolerance policy’ of the Nagaland State Government, the PDR stated that if the NSVC investigation was found ‘unsatisfactory,’ it will “not hesitate to seek proper and effective legal redressal for the issues in the above mentioned two Departments.”
