Restoring integrity in public appointments

By - Moa Jamir

The recent open letter by the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) to the Governor of Nagaland, urging intervention in the alleged ongoing regularisation of contractual assistant professors in the Higher Education Department, has reignited a pressing concern. This development has once again brought to the fore the issue of contractual appointments made without public advertisement, often referred to as "backdoor" appointments, within the Nagaland Government.

The NNQF has further raised concerns about the fairness and legality of the alleged regularisation process, highlighting that multiple writ petitions challenging such appointments are currently sub judice in the Gauhati High Court’s Kohima Bench.

Despite the NNQF’s plea to the Minister of Higher Education in September 2022 to halt any regularisation until the court ruled on the matter, a notification dated December 18, 2024, allegedly indicated the absorption of contractual assistant professors into the department, it pointed out.

The legal battles have been protracted. In November 2024, when the 2022 petition filed by the NNQF challenging the appointment of 34 contractual teachers was last heard, the Court observed its intent to dispose of the case by November 19.

However, at the request of the Government Advocate, the matter was adjourned for three weeks, but remains unheard since. Similarly, petitions filed in 2023 against additional contractual appointments are in various stages of court proceedings, prolonging the uncertainty.

While it remains unclear whether the reported regularisation of contractual teachers is linked to those included in the petitions, the lack of clarity exacerbates public scepticism. The Higher Education Department must clarify its position to address these concerns and dispel misconceptions, if any. Silence on such matters only fuels distrust and raises further questions about the integrity of the recruitment process.

The broader implications of backdoor appointments cannot be overstated. Such practices erode public trust in governance, undermine meritocracy, and perpetuate systemic inefficiencies. For students, doubts over the legitimacy of their educators’ appointments can lead to disillusionment, affecting the overall quality of education. For aspiring candidates, such appointments represent a grave injustice.

However, judicial pronouncements on similar issues have been unequivocal. In September 2024, the Gauhati High Court’s Kohima Bench invalidated the appointment of 935 constables made between 2018 and 2019 without advertisement. Similarly, another set of police appointments was also declared illegal, though the ruling is currently under appeal. These verdicts underscore the need for strict adherence to the principles of open and fair recruitment. Despite these reminders, it appears that the Government of Nagaland has yet to undertake a genuine course correction. 

The immediate challenge lies in addressing the legitimacy of the current appointments. However, the larger and more urgent task is systemic reform. The government must cleanse the recruitment process to ensure it inspires public confidence and restores faith in the system. For Nagaland, where employment opportunities are limited and government jobs remain a primary source of livelihood, he persistence of alleged backdoor appointments represents a serious impediment to fair and equitable employment practices as well as a serious injustice.

It is hoped that the judiciary will adjudicate these matters swiftly, providing clarity and closure, and further restoring integrity in public appointments. The onus is equally on the government to uphold the sanctity of public service and ensure that the ‘front door’ remains open to all deserving candidates. The time for course correction is now.

For any feedback, drop a line to jamir.moa@gmail.com



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