DIMAPUR, JUNE 3 (MExN): The decision to extend the service of Dr PJ Anthony (Rtd) as Principal Secretary under the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Secretariat has drawn more criticism with statements being issued today by the Rising People’s Party (RPP) and the Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees' Association (CANSSEA).
A press release from the RPP termed it as a “desperate attempt to further subvert the power and authority of an established system.”
The RPP questioned the UDA government and the Speaker of the NLA on the series of service extension granted to the present Principal Secretary even after his retirement from government service.
“Does this mean that the government of the day does not trust the capabilities of its own officers or was it abuse of public office for private gain? Has the extension not deprived the other employees of their rights?” the RPP questioned.
It further stated that the “malicious intention with which cadre post of Secretary of the NLA was upgraded as Commissioner & Secretary on contract basis and then to Principal Secretary is clear and condemnable.”
The party also questioned the “desperate move” of the government by issuing a notification dated May 18, 2022 for amendments in the NLA Secretariat (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 1999 to “fit the present incumbent.”
“The allegation of bypassing the Cadre Review Committee/Service Rules Amendment Committee is serious in nature and needs to be answered by the government. Incidentally, the UDA government has also been recently in news for restructuring of Cadre post of Additional Secretary of the same Secretariat, which was struck down and set aside by the Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court,” the RPP said.
By extending the service through an amendment, the party set, a bad precedence has been set where employees “might do anything to please the bosses for extensions.”
The RPP demanded that the appointment of the NLA Principal Secretary be nullified and the post terminated by bringing in capable and eligible officers to head the Secretariat. It further said that the Speaker should “uphold trust, propriety, and ethics in public life instead of turning a deaf ear to the sentiments of the people.”
Meanwhile, the CANSSEA submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary against the same notification which it termed as “irrational, dictatorial, absolute, irresponsible and contradictory to the Nagaland Retirement from Public Employment (Second Amendment) Act 2009.”
The association said that the amended Act will create unrest amongst the NLA Secretariat Staff Association supported by the State Government Employees which will directly affect the smooth functioning of the government. It appealed to the Nagaland Government to treat all government employees as equals and make corrective measures to address the grievances put forth at the earliest.
