In a democracy, public awareness and their enlightened opinion on all important public issues are the sign of democratic maturity. As the 21st Century’s first decade come to a close significantly the Nagas are becoming more sensitive and aware of what public perceived to be injustice, irregularity, corruption in high places and in governmental level. Every now and then the allegations and accusations about “illegal promotion or appointment” favouritism shown are highlighted besides a vicious whisper of sale of posts for high premium. However inconvenient to some, this area is one where the Nagas, especially the youth are very much vigilant about. It is of course, a welcome trend to check the authority from unfettered indulgence in such possible abuses. This has assumed as one of the most important public concern lately due to the bonanza of vacancies, (said to be around 3500 plus) which had occurred due to retirement of those government servants on attainment of 35 years of continuous service as per the “Retirement Act, 2009”. Every well-educated and not so well-educated alike have very high hope and expectation to find a place under the sun against one such vacancies. Thus all the young aspirants understandably, are waiting anxiously as to how and when recruitments shall take place in each department against those vacancies. Lots of lobbying and pressurizing of the Head of Departments and the Executive Heads are going on but at the same time every move is under the keen scrutiny of the public. Any slippage can create far reaching repercussion.
In a situation, where no significant number of jobs are created in private sectors for many unfavourable reasons in the State, jobs in government sectors seems to be the only alternative to many of the educated youths. In-spite of the fact that better qualified youth that are coming out of colleges, universities and Institutions, jobs opportunities in govt sectors is shrinking. It is also an irony that almost everyone wants a job in the government, perhaps, because it is a secured job with steady income without much responsibility and accountability. This is the tragic common perception of the Nagas. Reasons are simple – in the past (even now)? there have been random appointments without linking up to the availability of sanctioned post vacancies. Flouting all established Rules, Regulations and norms with impunity, appointments were made under one category or the other, under the nomenclature of Adhoc, Temporary, Casual, Contingent, Work Charged, Humanitarian, political rehabilitations etc. And then there are also the OSDs, Consultants, P.S, and Asst. PS so on and so forth. Most appointments of those categories are required for a limited period but in Nagaland, indiscriminate appointments were made by every successive government without any exception in the past. The tragedy is, once they are appointed there were hardly any termination. Thus they become permanent employees and the temporary purpose for which these appointments were made is conveniently ignored. This is how in most department there are surplus unqualified, untrained, backdoor entries staff, bursting beyond its carrying capacity.
There are huge numbers of such irrelevant staff who are either surplus or useless and who are not capable of making any meaningful contribution but collect salaries regularly thereby incurring a tremendous burden on public exchequer and have enormous demoralizing effect upon those employees who are regular in the office. Their continuation in the office also contribute toward financial mismanagement in the department since no specific salary provision have been made for them as they are not under the sanctioned post, but somehow they are paid by making adjustments from one head to the other. Thus, I feel, it is a criminal waste of both financial as well as human resources. Thus it would be appropriate to categories them as parasite staff. This category of staff constitutes the major portion of the bulky and oversized bureaucracy. Chief Minister often correctly state that 60% of the Resources in the state is eaten up under salaries. It will be worthwhile to seriously examine and review to what extend the vital resources is wasted on this superfluous parasite category of staff and another urgent corrective measure will be necessary, like the one taken against those who had served 35 years. I am sure such measure will trim the unnecessary bulges in bureaucracy and revive vitality in government functioning to some extent.
Coming back to the recruitment to the huge retirement vacancies, the State Govt. should be appreciated for taking such a bold – unpleasant decision with a view to
(a) Enable the State Govt. to create employment opportunities to accommodate more educated and qualified Naga youth;
(b) Improve government functional efficiency by replacing many under – qualified and under –performing section of the staff who had presumably reached the level of incompetence (Maslaw’s Theory)
Whatever is the reason, the student communities (NSF and ENSU) deserve congratulation for convincing the State Govt. to take such a drastic unpopular measure of axing so many regular employees at the risk of negative reaction in the next poll but in public interest it has to be taken.
The State Govt. has come this far and so good must now come out with transparent, equitable and fair recruitment guidelines and policies. Recruitments to any of these vacancies should not show any favouritism, manipulation or adhocism. That would defeat the whole purpose of replacing the old stock with fresh more qualified one on a fair competitive manner. Such an abuse of power will negatively affect the minds of the young people who are expecting fair deal in appointment on merit. It will also wipe out the good effort and intention in taking such a land marked and tough decision. It needs to be conducted not only fairly but appears to be fair as well. Then only the people’s confidence on Govt. functioning will be regained from the skeptic public. It is an exciting opportunity for the State Govt. to show that it is fair and just in selection so that even those who could not be selected will have no ground to complaint but to appreciate the selection if not grudgingly.
Nagaland is a very small state with small population. There is no necessity of making too much division among them in the line of tribe, region, clan etc. We should believe in establishing a society where there is social, economic and political justice and respect for the Rule of Law. Only then we can have social harmony and improvement on the quality of life.
Another area of concern is qualitative improvement on office management. Before assigning the job, any new recruit must be given a basic training on office procedure, basic job responsibilities, vital file and record maintenance and so on. Such basic professional course must be imparted which will guide a staff throughout his career. This is lacking amongst the staff in the State. Unlike in other advanced states/organizations where the advanced high standard Office Management ( OM) techniques are being adopted, what Nagaland state needs more at the moment is the subordinate staffs with sound knowledge on basic office management, culture and dedication.
T.N. Mannen, IAS (Rtd.)
Former Addl. Chief Secretary & Commissioner
tnmannen@rediffmail.com
