Not ‘mere’spectators: CTAN & NNQF protest alleged absorption of contract posts

Morung Express News
Kohima | April 17

Against the backdrop of the alleged regularisation of 147 adhoc posts in the Department of Higher Education (DHE) by the State Government, the Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) and the Nagaland Net Qualified Forum (NNQF) today organised a protest rally outside the DHE Directorate.

Demanding the revocation of government order No. HTE/HE/13-3-2020 (Pt-1) 104 dated 17th December 2024, members of CTAN and NNQF stated that they would lockdown the office starting April 17 if their demand is not met.

In today’s protest, protestors held placards, some of which read: ‘Will Corruption Be Your Legacy?’, ‘Educated. Qualified. Sorry, This Job Is Taken By Corruption’, ‘Stop Whitewashing Your Lies, Your Cheap Paint Can’t Cover The Truth!’ and so on.

Mention may be made that since the publication of the alleged absorption of the 147 posts, several student organisations and others reacted strongly, censuring the move.

The CTAN and NNQF have written to the Chief Secretary demanding the immediate revocation of the government order dated December 17, 2024, contending that it is a violation of Article 16 of the Indian Constitution, Rule No. 9 (4) of the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC), and an Office Memorandum dated June 6, 2016, by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms titled, ‘Ban on Appointment on Contract Basis.’

Accordingly, the two organisations demanded that the order be immediately revoked and justice be delivered to the eligible aspirants of Nagaland. Besides, they also asked the department to send requisitions for those posts appointed after June 6, 2016, to NPSC.

However, the department, in its response, stated that these appointments were made on a fixed-pay basis under exigency, against non-sanctioned posts, and therefore cannot be requisitioned to the NPSC.

Challenging the rationale, CTAN and NNQF questioned how the appointees were regularised or absorbed if the posts were indeed non-sanctioned.

They further cautioned of a lockdown of the HTE office from April 17 if their demands remain unaddressed.

“We are not asking for something which is not ours; we’re asking for something which rightfully belongs to us,” asserted CTAN member, Meshenlo Kath, speaking at the protest site.

Citing similar cases in other departments, he asked the members not to be ‘mere’ spectators lest the government take advantage time and again, with politicians misusing their powers.

Kath also maintained that the CTAN is fighting for the next generation and urged the people to support each other against corruption and nepotism.

“Unless people come together and stand up for their rights, the cycle of victimisation will continue,” he added.

“The whole purpose of standing here today,” stated Teiso Bio, “is the hope that one day the process of teaching and the education system may also improve.”

“Is the government transparent with us?” he posed, urging the youth not to be afraid of exercising the freedom of expression in voicing their rights and speaking out against the government for not doing things right.

He also highlighted the demoralising impact of the arbitrary regularisation, stating that many dedicated individuals who are preparing for exams feel so discouraged that they even hesitate to appear for exams due to the ‘things’ that are happening in the recruitment process.

Expressing disappointment over the ‘unjust and irregular’ appointments, Whemeü from the Naga Research Scholars Forum Shillong asserted that this issue goes beyond institutions and locality as “it touches the very core of our shared values of fairness, merit, justice, and integrity in public service.”

“Nepotism, political interference, and favouritism are shamelessly taking the place of merit and fairness, and this is not merely an administrative failure but a direct attack on the aspirations of hardworking people who have dedicated years to academic pursuit,” she asserted.

The research scholar also expressed concern over what she termed as “far-reaching consequences of such actions, which compromise the integrity of educational recruitment by not only denying opportunities but placing unqualified people into positions where they have the opportunity to influence and shape young minds.”

“An education system based on favouritism is a disservice to our students, a betrayal to educators, and a dark cloud over the aspirations of our people,” she added, wondering, “What kind of future are we envisioning for our state and Naga youth if we let this injustice prevail?”

Dispelling any notion of animosity towards all those 147 teachers whose services have been reportedly regularised, Noyingbeni, a research scholar from Nagaland University, stated, “We have nothing against you but against the nature of your appointment.”

Emphasising the importance of merit, especially in the education system, she contended that “a teacher should not be appointed through the backdoor.”

She also reminded that all the concerned entities were appointed on contract, and thus, inherently temporary. “This shouldn’t be used as a backdoor for permanence. We want the government to hear our plea because we will no longer stay silent,” she added.

Members from the NURSF Kohima, Naga Students Union Tripura, Nagaland Library Association, and CEAN also spoke on the occasion.