Institute has 17 sanctioned posts against 48 initially proposed; 12 employees’ service matter pending since 2006
The Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH), Medziphema, is functioning with just 17 sanctioned posts against 48 posts initially proposed for the institution, while 12 employees who have been working since 2006 remain caught up in a long-pending service-related legal matter.
The staffing situation came to the fore during a visit by Nagaland Lok Sabha MP Supongmeren Jamir to the CIH, where he interacted with the institute’s Director and staff and reviewed issues relating to manpower, employment, infrastructure and coordination with the local community.
According to the MP’s office, only five of the 17 sanctioned posts are currently permanent, including that of the Director.
The issue of the 12 employees was also raised during the interaction. The employees have been working at the institute since 2006, but their service-related matter remains under litigation in connection with the recruitment policy and regularisation of posts.
Jamir sought clarification from the Director on the prolonged pendency of the matter and said he would take it up with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and make an appeal for an appropriate remedy, subject to applicable rules and legal procedures.
The MP also stressed the need to strengthen the human resources of the institute, particularly in view of its role in farmer training, capacity building, technology demonstration and horticultural development in the Northeast.
The CIH, functioning under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, was established to promote horticulture in the North-Eastern Region.
During the visit, Jamir also discussed employment of local youth and labour at the institute, urging the administration to maintain constructive relations with the surrounding village community and address workers’ concerns through dialogue.
The issue of encroachment around the institute was also brought to the MP’s attention. He called for the matter to be addressed in coordination with the local administration and community.
Jamir said the CIH should be strengthened as a centre for horticultural research, farmer training, skill development, employment generation and technological advancement for Nagaland and the wider Northeast.
He assured that issues requiring intervention at the Central Government level would be taken up with the concerned Ministry and authorities.
