STs/SCs/OBCs have the privilege of reservations in Central government jobs, admissions to educational institutions etc. However, that privilege of reservation is applicable only when those candidates attain the qualifying mark.Likewise, in Nagaland we have reservation policies for the less advanced or backward tribes. But the similarity ends there. Why? Because of the following points:-
1. Reservation has been raised from 33% to 37%. Yet the qualifying mark is not maintained. When 37% is reserved for the less advanced why should they still be given the privilege of possessing lower qualification, relaxation of years for acquiring certain diplomas/degrees etc.? The candidates cannot claim rights and privileges by just being backward tribes, the candidates are expected to qualify academically and technically for the quota reserved for them.
2. The new selection system adopted under the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), is it not impinging on the opportunities of others? As also pointed out earlier by an author, the principle of reservations is to provide some little means for the less advanced to have opportunity to come up but it does not suggest any measure to impinge on the opportunity of others, it would be fair on the part of policy makers to come out with justifications if it isn’t so. At least enlighten us (unfortunate masses) if we are in the wrong or have misunderstood the true intent of the policy.
Last but not the least,withdrawal of some NCS posts already requisitioned to NPSC and advertised for another reservation for the nine backward tribes and of course one for a general tribe to complete the perfect picture of that ‘policy’ to champion the cause of uplifting the ‘less represented tribes’. Since there would be separate examination for the ten tribes to qualify for ten posts of EACs, why can’t the policy makers for that matter adopt a new system of conducting this particular examination in their own dialects?
Besides 37%, reservation along with manifold of perks now special reservation with separate examination prepared especially for them how can we not agree with our likeminded fellows to say in unison ah! It is good to be a backward in Nagaland!
