Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 22
Coming down hard on the DAN Government for the backdoor appointments to UBSI/ABSI/ ASI in 14 NAP (IR), Imkong said that this was just the “tip of the iceberg.” Producing the minutes of the board proceeding for interview test at 4th NAP Parade Ground, the Opposition leader lashed out, “This is the way, DAN has been functioning” and said that if Congress formed the government after the election, all these appointments would be invalidated. Giving an example of a backdoor appointment to the post of Assistant Director in Industries Department, Imkong said that DAN was flouting rules and procedures and termed the government as a dark cloud looming over the state.
The Congress also broke its silence over the Cabinet’s decision to raise the retirement age of government officers to 60 years and declared it “full support to the NSF’s stand” on the matter. Speaking at a press conference at his residence in Dimapur, CLP Leader, I. Imkong said that government servants should be allowed 33 years of service instead of extending the retirement age from 57 to 60 years. While expressing understanding for the said decision caused by the rise of life expectancy age in the country, I. Imkong opined that the matter could have been debated in Assembly and approved on the floor of the house after deliberation. If the entry point into service is 21 years, he said that, at 60 years, a person would have been in government service for the length of almost 40 years. Imkong also admitted to government servants tempering with their age and in this backdrop, said that the rules needs to be strengthened and anomalies worked out. In this respect, Imkong said that the party fully supported the NSF’s demand while adding that the Federation should also realize that sufficient time should be given to those who enter the service late.
Coming back to the ticket issue, Imkong said that the state would complete the scrutiny for Congress tickets on November 27 and 28 and send it to the Centre for approval. Terming the rush for the INC ticket as a cause for concern, Imkong let on that more than 10 sitting MLAs in the DAN government have asked for the Congress ticket, but he added that the matter would be decided by the party’s high command.
Though he refused to disclose Congress’ decision on Therie, Imkong revealed that the former BJP MLA, Tiameren would be awarded a Congress ticket instead of Saku, considering their winning chances. We have to make this painful decision for the party but they (other ticket hopefuls) will be accommodated in the party” informed Imkong.
Imkong took pains to stress that there was no conflict within the party though there may be differences of opinion and asserted that the Congress would go to the polls under the Prime Minister, Rahul Gandhi and party president. He said that Congress planned to go to polls alone but did not rule out a post-poll alliance in case of unanticipated outcome in the coming elections.
