Student volunteers at the office of Chief Engineer (Power) erecting a banner demanding cancellation of backdoor appointments during the first day of picketing on Wednesday (Morung Photo)
Kohima | July 20 : Annoyed with the silent attitude of the State Power department on cancellation of all the “Backdoor Appointees”, Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) today staged a picketing of the Chief Engineer, CE Power department office at AG colony in Kohima. The picketing of the office was called reportedly due to the department’s failure to initiate positive steps in response to the representation submitted on 14th June demanding for cancellation of 3 post of SDOs, 1 post of SO (E)- grade II, JE (E)- 5 post and JE (M)-1 post. However the department failed to give any response which prompted the Federation to serve ultimatum for five days that expired yesterday 19th July, with no response.
Irked with the departments’ attitude, NSF officials said, while the Federation was seeking for justice, the department did not initiate any response adding that agitation will be intensified till the demand is fulfilled. They also said that this agitation is an eye opener for other department with engineering wings. Students including tribal leaders through out the day staged demonstration outside the office displaying banners demanding to uphold fair and transparent recruitment and to shun back door appointments.
Chief Engineer of Power department, D. Basumatary disclosed that the alleged appointment of various technical posts was made by the Government and regretted that his office cannot do anything to settle the matter without the government’s directives. He however, said that the department has already proposed to the government for requisitioning all vacancy posts to NPSC for advertisement.
NSF officials, its senior members and department officials, held a meeting later in the afternoon, outside the office, where the Chief Engineer and the power department officials appealed to the NSF to meet the competent authority after the Power Minister Doshehe Sema, returns home tomorrow, from Delhi.
The department officials also disclosed that the Minister, through a mobile SMS informed the Chief Engineer and officials that the department could not make the requisition to the NPSC in what the Minister claimed was due to a non-settlement of a case pending in the High Court. Kelhouneizo Yhome President NSF said he had expected a positive response through the meeting yet was disappointed over the response of the Department, adding that the Head of Department should be able to hold the responsibility of any anomalies occurring under it.
Speaking on behalf of the agitating body, former NSF Presidents, Imchatoba and Mitsukoyo Yhobu, who were also present in the meeting, expressed displeasure over the laid-back response shown by the Minister concern and the Department terming it an ‘insult’ to the apex Naga student body.
The NSF also alleged that the Government and the Department have neglected in checking the anomalies saying that the issue in question came to light last year and is not new to the Department.
As reported, NSF had expressed concern over the alleged backdoor appointments of Sub-Divisional Officers and Junior Engineers in all the government departments of engineering establishments, and demanded for immediate cancellation of those ‘unlawful’ appointments. The Federation in a representation to the State Chief Secretary demanded the state government for strict adherence to 60 percent vacancies for open recruitment through Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) while stating that any direct recruitment or departmental promotion be exercised as per the prescribed norms.
Irked with the departments’ attitude, NSF officials said, while the Federation was seeking for justice, the department did not initiate any response adding that agitation will be intensified till the demand is fulfilled. They also said that this agitation is an eye opener for other department with engineering wings. Students including tribal leaders through out the day staged demonstration outside the office displaying banners demanding to uphold fair and transparent recruitment and to shun back door appointments.
Chief Engineer of Power department, D. Basumatary disclosed that the alleged appointment of various technical posts was made by the Government and regretted that his office cannot do anything to settle the matter without the government’s directives. He however, said that the department has already proposed to the government for requisitioning all vacancy posts to NPSC for advertisement.
NSF officials, its senior members and department officials, held a meeting later in the afternoon, outside the office, where the Chief Engineer and the power department officials appealed to the NSF to meet the competent authority after the Power Minister Doshehe Sema, returns home tomorrow, from Delhi.
The department officials also disclosed that the Minister, through a mobile SMS informed the Chief Engineer and officials that the department could not make the requisition to the NPSC in what the Minister claimed was due to a non-settlement of a case pending in the High Court. Kelhouneizo Yhome President NSF said he had expected a positive response through the meeting yet was disappointed over the response of the Department, adding that the Head of Department should be able to hold the responsibility of any anomalies occurring under it.
Speaking on behalf of the agitating body, former NSF Presidents, Imchatoba and Mitsukoyo Yhobu, who were also present in the meeting, expressed displeasure over the laid-back response shown by the Minister concern and the Department terming it an ‘insult’ to the apex Naga student body.
The NSF also alleged that the Government and the Department have neglected in checking the anomalies saying that the issue in question came to light last year and is not new to the Department.
As reported, NSF had expressed concern over the alleged backdoor appointments of Sub-Divisional Officers and Junior Engineers in all the government departments of engineering establishments, and demanded for immediate cancellation of those ‘unlawful’ appointments. The Federation in a representation to the State Chief Secretary demanded the state government for strict adherence to 60 percent vacancies for open recruitment through Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) while stating that any direct recruitment or departmental promotion be exercised as per the prescribed norms.
