Nagaland Contractors’ & Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) Monday decided to launch indefinite agitation by November 22 next if state government failed to respond to its November 20 ultimatum to withdraw, what it termed “infamous Cabinet decision of 3rd & 4th October”.
The decision to launch agitation was unanimously taken at its general meeting held at the NCSU head office Tuesday. The same decision was taken to protest against the state cabinet decision to cancel the earlier government standing orders.
Stating that the union has been extending support to the government for all round development of the state, the NCSU president Pele Khezhie and general secretary John Kath, in a joint release, expressed surprise at the government’s attitude.
They said NCSU had earlier submitted representation to the chief minister October 29 last and copies of which have been issued to all the cabinet ministers and other high ranking officials to revoke the cabinet decision of October 3 and restore the status quo within November 20.
However, they maintained that there has been no response so far and in contrary to the demand, the government issued an office memorandum, which stated that Nagaland Registration of Contractors Rules 2006 would henceforth be enforced with immediate effect.
It also pointed out that out of 11 districts in the state presently, only Kohima and Dimapur had capable contractors to obtain registration of the 2006 Rules, whereas the remaining 9 districts contractors were not in a position to do so.
Further, the NCSU pointed that proliferation of separate rules for registration would create confusion and difficulty for the government for exercising effective control over the different departments.
The union regretted that it was compelled to confront with the state government because the latter had “uprooted” the union identity on a sudden cabinet decision, which it had been protecting and maintaining for the past 26 years with government standing orders.
Meanwhile, the union has informed all NCSU bona fide members, district units, action committee, executive members and legal advisers to be prepared for the impending agitation and asked them to contact 0370-2222744/2229991 for further information.