Kohima, April 13 (MExN): Following the press release of Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) to urge the Nagaland Government to maintain status quo with regard to superannuation age of medical doctors in the state, the Angami Students’ Union (ASU) said it is extremely perturbed by the biased stand of the Federation and resolved not to cooperate with the incumbent NSF team.
ASU, President, Bisevi Nakhro and General Secretary, Mhalevilie Medoze in a press statement issued on Wednesday reiterate that the case of medical doctors’ age superannuation is unique as compared to other service sectors and with the declaration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance the age superannuation of medical doctors to 65 years on May 26, 2016, followed by cabinet approval on September 27, 2017 and amendment of the Fundamental Rules (Second Amendment) on August 11, 2018, the rest of the states had implemented the age superannuation for medical doctors.
In this regard, ASU had categorically asserted to the NSF to examine this need through the NSF Federal Assembly by tabling the issue, considering the requirement of more medical doctors to facilitate requisite number of doctors and also to help early commencement of medical colleges in Nagaland, it stated.
However, the union stated that ‘despite the earnest appeal of the ASU, the NSF has blatantly taken a biased decision by remaining silent on Naga doctors of other Naga homeland states who are already availing the age superannuation but opposing the same extension for the state of Nagaland.’
“We see no logic as to why the NSF has been quiescent when the other Naga homeland states under the umbrella of NSF implemented the said age superannuation and availing the same!” it asserted.
According to ASU, the recent press statement of the NSF has called for maintenance of status quo but at the same time giving space for age superannuation if the existing superannuation policy is reviewed. “This partial stand of the NSF has directly jeopardized the Naga doctors of Nagaland, which the ASU cannot remain an observer but ensure establishment of an impartial stand for the doctors of Nagaland,” it stated.
Alleging that the incumbent NSF team has lost sight to deliver justice to the Nagas, ASU said that it cannot afford to fare together under such shallow leadership. “Therefore, in order to protect the rights and interest of Naga people, we shall not henceforth cooperate with the incumbent NSF team until such time the union retrieve its faith on the federation and the matter is widely put to rest,” it declared.
Moreover, ASU has direct any Angami leaders participating/involving in NSF or its subordinate bodies to withdraw their support until further notice. ASU will be constrained to be vigilant on their functioning, it added.
Further, it resolved that ASU will not tolerate the state government’s attention to this issue if it is dictated by any party that advocates unfair proposition. It also implored the state government to resolve the issue by April 17, as assured, so as to avoid the proposed three day mass casual leave from April 18-20 called by Nagaland In Service Doctors Association (NIDA).
It also cautioned that failure to address this matter positively and in effect of medical doctors’ mass casual leave time, ASU will not remain silent if any patient(s) is/are victimized because of non-availability of doctors in the government hospitals during the mass casual leave period and the government along with the opposing parties will be held solely responsible for such casualties.
