Kohima, November 7 (MExN): The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) comprising CANSSEA, FONSESA, NIDA, NSSA, and NF&ASA has called on the Nagaland Government to furnish a copy of the cancellation letter of the IAS Non-State Civil Service (Non-SCS) Panel List for the 2024 Select List and to set a clear timeline for a policy decision on eligibility criteria for future inductions.
In a press release, the JCC said the cancellation of the panel list was a welcome step and acknowledged the Government’s decision as a commitment toward upholding meritocracy “in letter and in spirit.” However, it stressed that the Government must follow through with concrete actions.
“The Government must provide a tentative timeline within which a concrete policy decision is to be taken on the eligibility criteria for induction of Non SCS into IAS within which merit at the entry into service is acknowledged and upheld without any conditions,” the JCC stated. It also requested that an official copy of the cancellation letter be made available to the Committee at the earliest.
The JCC recalled the Government’s earlier assurance that “all decisions taken on the matter would be examined so as to arrive at an informed decision regarding the eligibility criteria for induction of Non SCS into IAS after taking into account the views of all the stakeholders.” In that context, the Committee noted that its constituent associations are key stakeholders in the process.
The Committee said it has suspended its peaceful agitation “on the premise that the Government has taken a constructive step towards fulfilling the core demands of the JCC.” At the same time, it warned that “in the event of failure to honour its commitment, the JCC will be compelled to re-initiate its democratic protest again, and for which it should not be held responsible.”
While expressing optimism that the process would reinforce fairness in public recruitment, the JCC said it hoped the Government would “ensure meritocracy as a benchmark for all employment in public service henceforth.”
The Committee also expressed gratitude to the public, the Government of Nagaland, the Cabinet Sub-Committee, the Chief Secretary, all AHODs and HODs, service associations, the Naga Students’ Federation and other student bodies, NGOs, CSOs, individuals, government employees across the state, and the media fraternity for their support during the agitation.
