Dimapur, November 27 (MExN): Asserting that there is “essentially no conflict” between the ‘stand’ of the government and the demands of the NSF, the government today made a number of clarifications pertinent to the ongoing spate over the retirement age policy.
Nagaland Chief Secretary Lalhuma in a statement today said the government had earlier restrained from ‘fixing’ the maximum length of service ‘by the judgment of the Guwahati High Court by setting aside the ordinances issued by the state government fixing length of service in a previous judgment dated January 18, 1993’. The gist of the high court’s order was that the government cannot have two criteria to determine the age of superannuation of employees. This, the statement said, is namely ‘fixing’ the upper age limit as well as the length of service. “In view of the judgment, which is binding on the state government, the state government have (sic) decided that the order of the Guwahati high court needs to be vacated or reviewed before issuing fresh order fixing the length of service. Otherwise, it would amount to contempt of court” the government explained.
The statement, however, clarified to the NSF that the government had already taken a decision to immediately file a review petition before the court and if necessary, approach the Supreme Court as well. The chief secretary regretted the delay in filing the said petition and subsequently, filed today itself in the Kohima bench of the Guwahati High Court.
The state also said that the NSF had decided to go ahead with the agitations when the government had already ‘agreed in principle’ to pursue the matter. Noting that the stir would even go to the extent of disallowing government vehicles from plying and also announcing a total bandh on statehood day (December 1 and also inauguration of the Hornbill festival), the statement said the government cannot remain a silent spectator. The government also mentioned that the Vice President of India would be the chief guest of the festival.
In view of the ‘accommodative stand’ of the government, the NSF is strongly urged by the government to call off its agitation.
Bandh or not, Govt orders attendance
Dimapur, November 27 (MExN): The government has ordered all its employees to ‘ensure’ that they attend work on November 28, the day of the NSF’s clamp on movement of all government vehicles. The government of Nagaland has made contingency plans to ensure that government vehicles are not stopped and that, office goers moving in government vehicles are not obstructed, an office memo from the state’s chief secretary said. In view of the arrangements being made by the government all employees of the government are to ensure that they attend office on the 28th. However, the memo did not specify what the arrangements or the “contingency plans” were.
