Dimapur, May 8 (MExN): The response to an RTI query on the nature of appointments in Nagaland State’s Department of Rural Development (DoRD) has thrown up a bizarre figure—85 percent of its total employees are directly appointed without undergoing any exams, tests or interviews.
The DoRD has now been mocked as the ‘Direct Appointment Department’ by the Nagaland Congress (NLC) party which filed the said RTI. It found the nature of appointments in the DoDR over the years (up to November 17, 2016) as “highly questionable and challengeable.”
RTI details
A press note from the NLC media cell highlighted the figures provided in the RTI response. Out of total 640 Regularized Employees, from the post of SO-I down to Steno Gr-III, appointments were done in following manner: 12% through interview, 0.9% through combined exam, 0.4% through NPSC, 2% through other process (deputation/absorption), and 85% were direct appointments.
Meanwhile, 100% appointments for 316 Contractual Employees were direct; 613 were appointed within 2010-2016 and only three prior to 2010.
District wise direct appointment percentages are: 90% in Longleng, 88% in Mon, 87% In Mokokchung, 87% in Dimapur, 84% in Tuensang, 80% in Kiphire, 79% in Phek, 79% in Zunheboto, 79% in Peren, 76% in Wokha and 75% in Kohima. 85% appointments in the Office of the Directorate were direct.
On the whole, thus, 85% of total employees in Nagaland State were directly appointed, 8.3% were appointed through Interview, Combined Exam & NPSC and 7% were appointed through deputation/absorption etc.
“This 85% direct appointment + 7% deputation together is mainly Minister’s & Parliamentary Secretary’s candidates, thereby leaving only 8% provision for few qualified and deserving candidates,” highlighted the NLC.
The political party also vowed to “take on the government/department with related issues at appropriate time.”
