NASSA members gathered at the NLA complex protesting the service extension of the NLA Secretariat Principal Secretary on June 14. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 14
The Nagaland Assembly Secretariat Staff Association (NASSA) today intensified its agitation through a poster campaign against the appointment of Dr PJ Antony in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly secretariat and the alleged ‘arbitrary’ framing of certain provisions of the service rule to accommodate his service as principal secretary of the NLA Secretariat.
Various posters condemning the “arbitrary exercise,” and appointment as well as those demanding the government to “Restore the sanctity of NLAS,” dotted the NLA Secretariat premises. The NASSA, which has been on a ‘pen down strike’ for almost two weeks demanded immediate revocation of the appointment order of the Principal Secretary.
Joint Action Committee Secretary, Sezoto Theyo said that the association had resolved to intensify its agitation and fight to revoke the appointment of Dr Antony. He said that it had earlier submitted ultimatum to NLA speaker to revoke appointment before June 13 but they are yet to receive any response from the government. He said that through pen down strike and wearing of black badges, they have refrained from dealing with any files from June 2.
NASSA Vice President, Rocus Rino said that they would continue the agitation. ‘From today onwards, we will not allow Dr Antony to enter the office,’ he said.
NASSA started indefinite agitation since June 2 against the appointment of Dr. PJ Antony (retired officer) to the post of Principal Secretary in the NLA Secretariat.
Meanwhile, Joint Action Committee, Co-convenor, Z Ruyosuyi, said that the NLA Secretariat in its service rules has no provision for the post of Principal Secretary. ‘We were unaware of the decision for creation of such post,’ he said, adding that such decision was taken without their knowledge and without taking the consent of the ‘post creation board’ of the NLA Secretariat.
“We were not informed,” he maintained adding that the matter came to light only after the Cabinet had taken the decision to have Principal Secretary. He said that it has undermined the service rule of the NLA Secretariat.
It was further informed that the NASSA has filed a case in the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench and a hearing in the divisional bench is slated for June 15.
