Department of Soil

Kohima, 13 March (MTNews): The Department of Soil & Water Conservation has issued a statement to address various articles and communications circulating in local newspapers and social media platforms regarding the appointment and subsequent termination of two Junior Soil Conservation Officers (JSCOs), namely H Agape Yepthomi and Avilie Nagi.

The department clarified that the appointment of the aforementioned individuals was purely on a contract basis in response to requisitions made by the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). It emphasized that there was no intention to regularize their appointment, and the contracts were not extended in any other way than through the requisition process.

The initial contract appointments were made on 6 June 2016, following clearance from the competent authority, the Government of Nagaland’s Personnel & Administrative Reforms Department, against requisitioned posts. These contracts were extended annually.

However, following the declaration of the NPSC / Combined Technical Services Examination (CTSE) result on 6 March 2024, the department proceeded to request termination of their contract services. The government accepted this request on 12 March 2024, and issued the corresponding orders.

The department stressed that the contract appointments were made solely on humanitarian grounds to support the livelihoods of qualified Naga citizens, with no ulterior motives involved.