Should induct four officers into IAS not 3, assert four State Services Associations
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 18 (MExN): The four State Services Associations today maintained that the Nagaland Government is not following laid-down rules for induction into the IAS cadre via promotion and selection and called for the inclusion of non-state civil service (SCS) officers in the Indian Administrative Services (IAS).
The Nagaland Secretariat Service Association (NSSA), the Federation of Nagaland Engineering Service Associations (FONSESA), the Nagaland Finance & Accounts Service Association (NF&ASA), and the Confederation of all Nagaland State Services Employees Association (CANSSEA) have accordingly made a joint representation to the State Chief Secretary to address the issue.
While acknowledging the Government of Nagaland for its commitment to other services by allowing three officers from other services to enter into the IAS as per the rules laid down in the IAS (Recruitment) Rules, 1954, the associations pointed out that the actual strength should be four.
According to the associations, the induction into IAS Cadre through promotion and selection for both State Civil Service and other Services is governed by the same rules of the IAS (Recruitment) Rules, 1954, which specify that recruitment "cannot exceed 33.33% or 1/3 of the senior posts under the state Government."
Out of this, it mandates persons to be recruited from non-SCS officers not exceeding 15% exclusively from other services, the representation pointed out.
The IAS (Fixation of Cadre Strength) Regulations, 1955, Amendment Regulations 1997 notified by the Union Ministry of Public Grievances & Pensions Department of Personnel and Training raised the cadre strength to 64, it said. In 2010, it was raised from 70 to 91 and further raised to 94 in 2015, it added.
Accordingly, the four associations maintained that the IAS from other Services was to be 2 in 1997, and in 2010 it was to be 4.
However, contrary to the provisions laid down in the regulations, only three IAS are in position as of today, contradicting the laid-down regulations and denying the right to multiple efficient, outstanding, and deserving non-SCS officers, they added.
To this end, the confederation of the four associations appeals to the Government to protect the rights and interests of non-SCS officers and commence the recruitment process as per the rules of the IAS (Recruitment) Rules, 1954; the Selection of Non-SCS officers to the IAS under (Appointment by Selection) Regulations 1997 and the IAS (Appointment by Induction) Regulations, 2013, which are being kept for non-SCS.
It must be noted here that the CANSSEA in August 2021 made a similar appeal to the State Chief Secretary. However, the current representation indicates that the State Government is yet to act on the issue.
For inclusion of officers from Other State Services Association
Meanwhile, the four State Services Associations sought the intervention of the Nagaland Chief Secretary in amending or modifying the Regulation of the NPSC, 2008 at the earliest, to include officers from Other State Services Association as members of the Commission.
Some officers in Other State Services have demonstrated outstanding performance and achievements, significantly contributing to the State, they asserted in a joint representation.
However, the representation pointed out that Part-II of the Regulation of the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) 2008, which deals with the composition and conditions of service of the Commission, denies Other Services of the State the opportunity to become members of the apex state public service commission.
It further noted that Article 318 of the Indian Constitution had not specifically imposed any conditions or laid down norms that members should be determined solely from All India Services or State Civil Services. It had only provided State provisions and regulations for the appointment of its members, it added.
In the representation to the Chief Secretary on November 18, the four associations further highlighted that other states in India exercise inclusiveness towards Other State Services when nominating members to State Public Service Commissions.
However, the 2008 Regulation displays bias and indicates the intention of the Nagaland Government to sideline the immense contributions made by Other State Services, they contended.
Accordingly, CANSSEA, FONSESA, NSSA, and NF&ASA urged the Nagaland Chief Secretary to intervene and make necessary changes in the regulations at the earliest to avoid further confrontation from Other State Services Associations seeking justice.
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