State govt to set up SSB within a month

The State government is all set to set up the much-awaited Staff Selection Board (SSB) within one month. This follows a meeting of chief minister Neiphiu Rio and his council of ministers/legislators with Naga Students’ Federation representatives here on Monday.  

Later addressing media persons here, NSF president Ninoto Awomi said the federation’s long-pending demand to set up SSB was finally heeded by the State government as the chief minister informed the meeting that his government had in principle approved setting up of SSB, adding that upon NSF’s insistence Rio assured to set it up within one month.

He exuded confidence that the government would upheld its assurance and set up the board within the given timeframe.

Awomi said the NSF team also took up the issue of NHM Employees Association Nagaland (NEAN) grievances during the meeting to which Rio said he was ready to discuss the issue with the aggrieved party.

Acknowledging the grievances of NHM employees, he said the federation however felt that Naga people should not be at the receiving end in the tussle between the State government and NEAN in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Extending solidarity to NEAN, he said the current issue was about serving the community and here therefore appealed to NHF employees to give up their indefinite stir and resume work.

Awomi said NSF representatives also discussed the measures being taken up for giving employment opportunities to thousands of Nagas who were working outside but had returned to Nagaland now.

He said the chief minister informed them that a committee on employment and sustainability had been set up and its focus was on agriculture and allied sector, skill development, tourism, youth resources and sports.

Considering the fact that thousands of migrant workers who were engaged in businesses in Nagaland had left, the NSF president appealed to unemployed Naga youth to take advantage of these job opportunities and strive towards creating a self-reliant Naga society.  

He said NSF had urged the government to be transparent on financial management, especially on funds received and expenditure incurred, to which Rio assured of making everything available in public domain and maintaining transparency.

Awomi said NSF further appealed to the government to review its decision of regularising doctors and also requisitioning the new post created under health & family welfare department to Nagaland Public Service Commission since it was gazetted post.