“Hide and seek policy”: NSF hits out at govt over regularization move

Amidst growing public anger and backlash on social media, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Thursday reiterated its demand for the state government to revoke its decision to regularize 147 contractual posts of Assistant Professors and Librarians under the Higher Education Department.

Terming the move as a “hide and seek” policy by the state government, the apex student body, comprising all Naga tribal units except the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF), condemned what it described as a “blunt” Cabinet decision.

Addressing a press conference in Kohima, NSF officials warned that if the government remains adamant about upholding the Cabinet decision to regularize those Assistant Professors, the Federation would be compelled to initiate its own course of action.

Tracing the issue back to 2009, the NSF stated that the contract-based Assistant Professors were initially paid Rs 8,000 per month. This was gradually increased to Rs 12,000, then Rs 20,000, and eventually Rs 30,000 by 2020.

“We understand the sentiments of the contractual lecturers involved. That is why we are not demanding their termination, but we urge the state government to roll back this decision,” an NSF official stated.

The NSF further said that they will give their opinion on what should be done in the later part, once the Cabinet revokes its decision.

According to the Federation, the Cabinet approved the regularization of the 151 posts in September 2024. In response, NSF met with the Minister in charge and conveyed their opposition to the move.

“However, on December 17, 2024, the government went ahead with the decision without the knowledge of anyone,” NSF said. “According to minister in charge, department was to have a serious conversation with the NSF and though there were hearsay about the absorption, we came to know only in the month of January 2025”.

MT