Following protests by the Nagaland Medical Students’ Association, the Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN), and Nursing Aspirants of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland has deferred the ‘Special Recruitment Drive’ by two weeks. This was notified to the Principal Director of the Health & Family Welfare Department, Nagaland, Kohima, by Deputy Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Noune Ü Kire.
The notification did not provide specific reasons for the delay, but it directed the concerned authorities to take note of the change and proceed with the necessary actions accordingly.
It may be noted that the associations criticized the Health and Family Welfare Department’s special recruitment drive for 280 posts, announced under an order dated August 20, 2024. According to CTAN, the order issued bypasses the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) Rule 9(4). This rule mandates that all posts, whether technical or non-technical, carrying a Pay Band of Rs. 5200-20200 with a Grade Pay of Rs. 2800 per month and above, must be requisitioned to the NPSC for open examination. CTAN argued that the special recruitment drive is a violation of this rule, as well as Article 16 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality of opportunity in public employment.