Dimapur, Nov 20 (MExN): “Show-caused” employees of the NPTO have submitted a representation to the state government over the pending issue of regularization/absorption of wireless department employees served with show-cause notices in the police department. The representation attested by Tsuknung Aier, NPWEAS President and Kezalekho Sakhrie, Vice President was addressed to the Special Secretary, Home Department and highlighted the High Court’s interim orders of September 26, 2003 and October 18, 2005.
A series of representations were made highlighting the various irregularities and discriminatory actions taken by the department against the stated employees but to no avail, the NPTO stated. This compelled them to approach the Guwahati High Court the cases of which are still pending disposal. In WA. No.371/03, by order dated August 26, 2003. The High Court observed that considering the nature of the ‘controversy’ raised, the appellants were directed to file representations afresh in pursuance of the show-cause notice issued by the state government within two months and the government on receipt shall consider and dispose off the representations after giving them reasonable opportunity of hearing. It was further emphasized that the representations shall be disposed off considering that the appellants had been in service of the state for a long time in some cases even up to nine years, the representation stated. However, the government decided to conduct a recruitment test, forcing the employees compete for 115 vacancies, on highly questionable grounds. So, a joint representation dated July 29, 2004 was submitted pointing out various irregularities in the said decision and also highlighting “illegalities” committed by the department in issuing fresh appointments subsequent to the employees being “show-caused” despite standing order not to make such appointments, and that such a test would not be in accordance with the interim order of the High Court.
Overall existing vacancies were in fact 180 in number and that with the creation of the 11 (IR) NAP BN fresh vacancies in the signal branch of the new battalion would arise which, together, would be sufficient to accommodate all the show-caused employees. Another representation dated February 7, 2005 was made to consider the case. In this regard, the IGP(C/NPTO) had also written that there would be 135 vacancies arising in the new battalion and requested for accommodating the “show-caused” employees against the said vacancies. “Despite this fact, no action was taken by the Government to ameliorate our problems, instead, fresh appointments continued to be issued against such vacancies” the NPTO rued. Then, employees were directed to appear for a recruitment test on October 18, 2005 to compete for 115 vacancies only. “Being aggrieved, we were compelled to approach the High Court again with a writ petition being registered and numbered as W.P.(C). No. 7463/05, and the Court by order dated 18.10.05 was pleased to direct that the respondent authority may proceed with the recruitment test but no order of appointment shall be issued without prior leave of the Court” it stated.
A new IRB Battalion, the 11th (IR) NAP BN, has been constituted, and if fresh vacancies are included to the earlier existing vacancies, it would be more than sufficient to accommodate all 425 show-caused employees, who are already trained and well equipped. “However, the department again has sought to ignore our legitimate claims and decided to make fresh appointments instead and has issued the Advertisement NO.PHQ(B-I) 1/12th IRB/2005 dated 24.10.06 inviting applications for filling up existing vacancies (copy enclosed)” it stated.
