Kohima, Nagaland: The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), which represents all major government employees’ associations in Nagaland, has issued a public appeal explaining its ongoing protest against the induction of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers under the Non-State Civil Service (Non-SCS) quota. The protest, the JCC says, is aimed at upholding meritocracy, transparency, and justice in public service recruitment.
The JCC is a coalition of five prominent employee associations, including the Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees Association, the Federation of Nagaland State Engineers Service Association, the Nagaland In-Service Doctors’ Association, the Nagaland Secretariat Service Association, and the Nagaland Forest Service Association.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the committee clarified its position, asserting that its fight was to ensure fairness in recruitment processes and protect the interests of Nagaland’s citizens. The JCC emphasized that the movement is not against any individual or organization but is focused on defending merit-based recruitment and transparency in public service appointments.
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State Government’s Procedural Lapses Acknowledged
The JCC noted that the Nagaland state government had already admitted to procedural lapses in the screening of candidates for induction under the IAS quota. Despite the government’s acknowledgment, the JCC remains firm in its belief that these actions violate regulations under the IAS (Appointment by Selection) Recruitment, 1954 and IAS (Appointment by Selection) Regulations, 1997, which ensure merit-based recruitment procedures.
The committee also criticized the government for disregarding an Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) on 7 October 2020, which mandates that all ministries and departments adhere to the Supreme Court’s ruling requiring recruitment processes to follow constitutional procedures and merit-based standards.
Protecting Meritocracy and Fair Recruitment
The JCC stressed that the ongoing protest was solely intended to safeguard meritocracy and transparency in public recruitment processes. The statement made it clear that the committee had no ill intentions toward any individuals or organizations but was committed to fighting for the greater good of the people.
In a strong statement, the committee warned that “wrong policies” ignoring established laws could jeopardize the state’s future by undermining the purpose of transparent and competitive examinations for young aspirants. They emphasized that the core issue was to ensure that recruitment processes remain fair and provide equal opportunities for everyone, as outlined in the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) and Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) Regulations of 2020.
Appeal for Understanding and Solidarity
While acknowledging that the protests might cause temporary inconvenience to the public, the JCC appealed for understanding and solidarity. The committee reminded the public that their fight was for a “fair, just and equal opportunity for every person,” and that their cause aligned with the principles established under the law. The protest, they added, was an essential step toward ensuring that the recruitment processes remain transparent and just, serving the best interests of the state and its people.
Concerns Over State’s Future and Recruitment Integrity
The JCC warned that undermining established procedures would not only harm Nagaland’s future but could also tarnish the integrity of public service recruitment. The committee expressed its deep concern over what they saw as a potential compromise to the merit-based system, which has been an essential cornerstone of public recruitment in the state.
In conclusion, the Joint Coordination Committee reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the interests of citizens, particularly young talents aspiring for government positions, and emphasized that the fight for a just and fair recruitment system is both a “social and governmental responsibility”.
Protest Continues as JCC Urges Public Solidarity
As the protest continues, the JCC remains resolute in its demands and has called for public support to ensure that the state’s recruitment policies remain transparent, competitive, and based on merit. The committee’s message is clear: a fair, just, and equal opportunity in recruitment will benefit the entire state in the long run.
