MOKOKCHUNG, MARCH 4 (MExN): The Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has hailed the recent Nagaland Government's notification cautioning government employees against engaging in private sector employment as a much-needed step to uphold public service integrity.
The March 4 directive would uphold public service integrity, ensure fair business competition, and foster a healthy economic ecosystem in the state, it held.
In a press release, the MCCI stated that restricting government employees from participating in private business ventures is crucial for several reasons.
Firstly, it noted that government employees are tasked with serving the public with dedication and impartiality, and involvement in private businesses could lead to conflicts of interest, misallocation of time, and misuse of official resources. Reinforcing service conduct rules ensures employees remain focused on their official duties, thereby enhancing governance efficiency, it added.
The MCCI also highlighted that government employees' participation in private enterprises creates an uneven playing field, allowing undue influence and favouritism to prevail. The enforcement of Section 15(1) of the Nagaland Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1968, promotes a competitive market where independent entrepreneurs can thrive without interference or unfair advantages, it said.
Thirdly, the MCCI also stressed that a business environment free from government employee intervention opens up greater opportunities for local entrepreneurs and youth seeking self-employment. This move, it added, supports Nagaland’s economic growth by ensuring that business ownership and economic prospects remain accessible to genuine entrepreneurs.
Further, the MCCI asserted that preventing the misuse of official positions for private enterprise promotion reinforces transparency, accountability, and good governance.
The Chamber urged all government employees to strictly adhere to the notification’s provisions and refrain from engaging in private employment without proper authorisation. It reaffirmed the business community's commitment to collaborating with the government to promote economic growth, entrepreneurship, and a transparent business environment.
Appreciating the proactive measures, the MCCI expressed hope that the notification and relevant rules would be implemented in both letter and spirit.
