Association seeks restoration of interview-mark provision, inclusion of exempted posts under NSSB and changes to new vacancy approval process
The Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) has raised three concerns over the State’s recruitment system, at a time when the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) has advertised only 11 vacancies.
In a representation to the Chief Secretary, CTAN has sought restoration of a provision governing interview marks, inclusion of eligible Pay Level 3, 4 and 5 posts currently exempted from the NSSB, and deletion of provisions in the new manpower-rationalisation Office Memorandum (OM) relating to filling vacancies and fresh recruitment.
On interview marks, CTAN has asked the government to reconsider its November 30, 2023 order deleting Section 45(12) of the NSSB Regulations, 2020.
Explaining the issue, CTAN Convenor Er Meshenlo Kath during a press conference on September 22, Kohima, said the provision had stated that a candidate should be given a minimum of 40 per cent and a maximum of 80 per cent of the total interview marks.
“In the NSSB Regulation 2020, there was a particular section for interview marks where it says anyone in the interview, a person should be given a minimum of 40 per cent and maximum of 80 per cent of the total interview mark but in a certain government order, that particular section has been deleted,” Kath said.
“This means if the members are not favouring a particular candidate, he can give zero also because nothing is mentioned. And since one mark matters, it is very risky. So, we are demanding the government to reinduct that particular section,” he said.
The second demand concerns posts that are currently outside the purview of the NSSB.
CTAN has sought the inclusion of Pay Level 3, 4 and 5 posts listed as exempted under Schedule-A of the NSSB Regulations.
Kath said the association had originally demanded a neutral recruitment body that would conduct examinations for Class 3 and 4 posts across departments.
“When we demanded for NSSB, we demanded for a neutral body which will conduct exam for all Class 3 and 4 posts. During our initial demand, we demanded for all departments to be under NSSB but many departments including all posts falling under District Administration are exempted; Nagaland Police, Prison, Nagaland Lokayukta, Nagaland Police Telecommunication, Home Guard, Civil Defence, Fire & Emergency, Excise, Forest Guard and Forest Department,” he said.
“They do not come under the purview of NSSB. But these are the departments having a good number of manpower. And those are not included in NSSB, that is why job vacancy is very less,” Kath said.
He pointed to the recent advertisement of 120 administrative posts, saying the number of vacancies advertised through NSSB could have been substantially higher if such posts were under the Board.
“Just recently 120 posts for administrative was advertised. So, if 120 was added then it would not have been only 11 posts under NSSB,” he said.
The third issue raised by CTAN relates to the government’s new manpower-rationalisation Office Memorandum.
Kath clarified that the association was not opposed to the manpower-rationalisation exercise itself, but to provisions dealing with vacancies and fresh recruitment. CTAN has sought deletion of point 2, sub-points (a) to (f), of the OM.
“We are not against the whole Office Memorandum. Maybe the government has some purpose, that is why they came up with this OM. They are setting up Manpower Rationalisation Committee and we are not against that. But within this we are against some content,” he said.
“If the government does not have money, it is okay, do not create the job as of now. But the point talking about filling up of vacancy and fresh recruitment, here, when we read it, it feels like NSSB and NPSC has already paralysed. They do not have any authority,” Kath said.
He said the process of sending vacancies for recruitment had changed under the new order.
“Earlier, departments sent all the vacancies directly to the NPSC and NSSB, but this order says that no matter what the vacancy, you have to go through MRC and then to Cabinet and if only Cabinet agrees, it can be advertised. So, how long will it take?” he said.
Kath said the provision was “very risky” as departments could use the OM as a reason for not sending vacancies to the recruiting agencies.
“When we go to the department, they are taking advantage of this OM and saying that they will not send,” he said.
He further said the OM requires even vacancies that exist in departments to await approval before they can be advertised.
“These are risky developments,” Kath said.
He warned that CTAN could take the issue to the streets if the concerns were not addressed.
“In this situation, we might be compelled to take it to the streets,” he said.
In its representation, CTAN has asked the Chief Secretary to examine the three issues and take appropriate action in the interest of transparency, uniformity and fairness in recruitment.
The representation was signed by Er Meshenlo Kath, Convenor, CTAN, and Er Kaqheto, Co-Convenor, CTAN.
