Tuensang, December 1 (MExN): The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) on Wednesday reiterated its stance on the matter of Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) as per its 6-point charter of demands to the state government.
A press release from ENSF President Chingmak Chang and Assistant General Secretary Kaibo Konyak informed that the federation, on November 29, met with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to re-apprise him on the charter of demands, specifically those that entail inclusion of the exempted posts and departments under the purview of NSSB.
Stating that the NSSB, devoid of all the departments and posts put together, would shatter the purported purpose of its formation, the ENSF said that it was “disillusioned over the nonchalant attitude of the Cabinet Sub-committee towards its genuine demand,” despite several rounds of talk, and denounced the committee’s report.
“In the throes of the present form of NSSB in conjunction with the lackadaisical attitude of the Government towards the common cause voiced out by the federation in good faith, the very gist of NSSB which every educated ones believe as a panacea to do away with the rampant backdoor appointment is defeated [sic],” the ENSF stated.
It also clarified that the ENSF was not against the constitution of NSSB, “rather it is delighted that a holistic and inclusive board such as NSSB has been introduced in the state which was a long-held-aspiration of the young educated ones of the state.” However, it lamented that the state government’s move to rule out some of the major departments and posts from the purview of NSSB “is something all the educated minds should ponder upon.”
Only if the state government is serious enough to whittle down the corruption in the sphere of employment and promote meritocracy in the true sense, it should not try to find an alibi to prolong reconsidering the structure under which the NSSB has to function, it added.
Maintaining that the State Government should understand that there are many educated unemployed youths who will soon be considered ‘over-aged’ to qualify for state service examinations, the ENSF underscored that the “State Government shall have no option but to fully own the responsibilities,” in the event of such incidents.
As such, the ENSF again, appealed the state government to reconsider its charter of demands at the earliest.
Furthermore, ENSF appealed all individuals, groups or political parties to have a deeper insight on the issue and come to the logical conclusion that the demand is being raised for the welfare of the Nagas as a whole.
