The Konyak Students’ Union, Kohima, has expressed its full solidarity with the demands made by Civil Services Aspirants for age relaxation up to 37 years. In a statement, the Union acknowledged the significant challenges faced by aspirants, stating, “The aspirants will be losing a great amount of time and dedication they have put into due to their age expiration, which is the result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Highlighting the impact of the pandemic, the Union noted that many aspirants have lost their chances to appear for exams due to the circumstances surrounding the health crisis. The Union also addressed the one-time age relaxation order No. AR-5/ASSO/98 (vol-1) from the Personnel and Administrative Reforms (P&AR) department, which provided age relaxation to candidates over 35 years. The Union criticized this order as “biased,” asserting that it should also benefit candidates nearing 35 and below, as “the Government should be non-biased and equal for all.”
The statement further emphasized the dire situation of youth unemployment, remarking that “over one in four youth is unemployed and frustrated,” which the Union attributes to the government’s failure to create adequate employment opportunities for the youth of Nagaland.
In light of these pressing issues, the Konyak Students’ Union urged the government to “reconsider and make necessary arrangements like that of other counterparts states” for aspirants who have been deprived of their rightful opportunities due to the lack of age relaxation. They called for an “equitable and inclusive solution to the problem,” emphasizing the need for fair treatment for all candidates.