Kohima: With the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) intensifying its agitation through a full-scale “tools down strike,” the Nagaland government has recalled the panel of names submitted to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the IAS Select List 2024.
The move comes after more than 40 days of peaceful protests by government employees, which escalated into a statewide strike impacting multiple departments.
JCC’s Agitation Gains Momentum
The JCC comprises several key employee associations — including the Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees Association (CANSSEA), Nagaland In-Service Doctors Association (NIDA), Nagaland Secretariat Service Association (NSSA), Nagaland Finance and Accounts Service Association (NFASA), and the Federation of Nagaland State Engineering Service Association (FNSEA).
Government drivers’ unions and the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Grade-IV Staff Employees Association have also joined the protest, significantly disrupting administrative functions across departments.
The JCC stated it was “compelled” to launch the fourth phase of agitation due to the state government’s failure to respond to its core demands — primarily the restoration of the March 10 vacancy circular and the removal of non-NPSC/backdoor candidates from the IAS consideration list.
Agitation Timeline
The JCC began its first phase of protest on September 24, starting with black badge campaigns, followed by poster drives and a pen-down strike.
On Thursday, the agitation entered its fourth phase with the “tools down strike,” though the JCC clarified that essential services such as public transport, ambulances, sanitation, power, and PHE were exempt to prevent public inconvenience.
Government Holds Emergency Cabinet Meeting
Amid mounting pressure and disruption of government functioning, the state cabinet convened an emergency meeting Thursday evening to address the escalating crisis.
Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen stated that the cabinet reviewed the entire process of IAS induction and the representations submitted by various service associations to the DoPT and UPSC.
He further revealed that the vacancy circular issued on March 10, 2024, was done without approval from the Competent Authority — a major procedural lapse that prompted the cabinet to recall the IAS panel list submitted on September 26 to UPSC.
Cabinet to Revisit Policy Decisions
“The Cabinet, after deliberation, decided to recall the panel of names for the Select List 2024 and revisit all decisions taken on the matter to arrive at an informed decision regarding eligibility criteria for induction of Non-SCS officers into the IAS,” Imchen said in an official statement.
He added that the government would seek advice from the DoPT and UPSC to ensure due process and transparency in future selections.
The cabinet has also appealed to all service associations to withdraw the ongoing agitation and cooperate with the government in resolving the issue amicably.
JCC’s Response
Reacting to the government’s decision, a JCC spokesperson told media that the committee had taken note of the cabinet’s move, which “fulfils their primary demand.” However, the final position will be announced after a joint meeting of all participating service associations and unions currently part of the ongoing “tools down strike.”
Key Takeaways:
- The Nagaland government recalled the IAS Select List 2024 amid intense employee agitation.
- JCC’s ‘tools down strike’ brought government departments to a halt.
- Cabinet admitted procedural lapses and will revisit eligibility norms for non-SCS IAS induction.
- Essential services have been exempted from the protest.
