Following the ‘mass casual leave’ of Nagaland Civil Services officials in protest against alleged induction of non-NCS persons to various posts in the government, the state cabinet after its emergency meeting held on Thursday constituted the Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC) to address the issues raised by the state civil service officers.
The cabinet also held separate meetings with the Nagaland Civil Services Association (NCSA) and Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees’ Association (CANSSEA) at the chief minister’s residential office.
According to CMO media cell, the cabinet, after hearing their views, impressed upon the members that the issues raised by the associations should be resolved in accordance with the letter and spirit of the rules. At the meeting, chief minister, T.R. Zeliang urged upon the members not to resort to unhealthy agitation, saying it was not government or officers alone but the public who would be greatly affected.
“All should be guided by laid down Rules and Regulations, if you feel you are deprived of, then government will look into the matter. The mass casual leave will paralyze the administrations and seriously impact the general public,” Zeliang said.
He said, NCS being the premier service, no party should stick to their stand.
“There should be a room for discussion and amicable solution. NCS or non-NCS officers, both are government officers and neither of the party should be victimized. Government will not violate the laid down rules and assure both the parties that justice will be delivered,” Zeliang added.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Sub-Committee would examine all relevant issues relating to promotion/selection to IAS and give its recommendations within a month to the government for resolution of the matter and onward necessary action.
CSC will be headed by H&FW minister, Imkong L. Imchen as convenor and ministers- Y. Patton, Mmhonlumo Kikon, Neiba Kronu; Home commissioner, Abhishek Singh, Law secretary, Khanrinla Koza and addl. advocate general, K. Sema as members.
NCSA’s stand
Nagaland Civil Services Association has brought to light the issue surrounding the protest in the form of ‘mass casual leave’ by NCS officers.
In a press note, NCSA president, Kevekha Kevin Zehol, stated that on February 29, 2016 the retirement of an NCS inducted IAS officer created a subsequent vacancy in the state IAS quota. However, NCSA said it was shocked and disappointed at the state government’s unprecedented decision to fill up the vacant post from amongst the non-State Civil Service (SCS) officers. While stating this, NCSA made known that the association in no way intended to demean the capabilities of officers from other services, but rather appreciate the immense contributions they have made to the state’s progress thus far.
As per the IAS (Recruitment) Rules 1954, NCSA said that non-SCS may be accommodated within the 33.33% of the total strength of the IAS cadre of a state under “special circumstances”, limited to a maximum of 15% of the 33.33%.