Demands age relaxation for NPSC aspirants
Dimapur, July 11 (MExN): The Rising People’s Party (RPP) on July 11 sought clarification from the State Chief Secretary as to why departmental examinations were conducted in 2020 even after the formulation of the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) Regulations 2020.
In a statement issued by its President Joel Naga and General Secretary Amai Chingkhu on Sunday, the party observed that, as per the NSSB Regulations 2020, the State government was expected to desist from conducting departmental exams. “Unfortunately, it has come to our notice that some of the departments did conduct departmental exams in 2020 even after the NSSB was set up giving the excuse that the latter was yet to be operational,” the RPP stated.
It questioned why departmental exams were conducted in 2020 when Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) exams in the same year were cancelled due to the pandemic. Terming it a ‘serious allegation’, the RPP requested the Chief Secretary to issue a clarification on the same.
It stated that NSSB operational issues are expected to be sorted out by now and all departmental exams discontinued. Highlighting the pain and frustration of the aspiring candidates, the RPP urged the State government to stop playing with the emotions of the students.
Meanwhile, the RPP also urged the State government to consider relaxing the age limit for NPSC aspirants.
“While the COVID pandemic has thrown usual life out of gear, the State government should ensure that no section of people is victimized,” the RPP asserted.
It noted that the last NPSC exam was conducted in 2019 and examination for NPSC Combined Civil Services Examination and Combined Technical Services Examination for 2020 is yet to be conducted. While acknowledging that examination cannot be conducted at present due to the prevailing pandemic situation, the party opined that age relaxation should be granted to aspiring candidates.
“For instance, if a candidate had had his last chance of appearance in 2020, his/her case should be considered and relaxation in age given if and when NPSC decides to conduct the exam,” it said.
It requested the State cabinet to consider the relaxation on humanitarian grounds.
