Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 27
The major recruiting agency of the State, Nagaland Public Service Commission has come a long way playing a vital role in recruiting the best brains into the State agencies, but not without facing the ire of public accusation, criticism and involving itself into lots of controversies.
However, there has been a lot of improvement and change in the functioning of the commission and thereby gaining confidence of the people. The commission has celebrated its 50th anniversary today at its office premises in a grand manner.
The commission was established through a notification issued on March 18, 1965, and the first secretary of the commission took charge on July 1, 1965 along with seven ministerial staff.
However, it was not until the first chairman of the Commission K Sachidannandam was appointed on March 3, 1996 that the Commission was formally constituted and embarked upon its journey of selecting civil servants for the State of Nagaland.
NPSC Chairman, A Yanang Konyak reading out the speech of the chief minister, TR Zeliang in his absentia said, NPSC has been entrusted with enormous responsibilities, the timely and proper discharge of which requires not only proficiency and efficiency, but integrity of a very high order.
He maintained that the golden jubilee celebration is the right occasion for retrospection and introspection for improving itself, without showing signs of deterioration or aging.
He also stressed on the need for NPSC to continuously restructure, to innovate and to update itself, to be in tune with the changing times and needs.
He also said the examination system and the syllabi should be constantly reviewed and updated to be in tune with the latest and relevant fields of learning and knowledge. Most importantly, he said the examination system should be fool-proof and corruption free.
Citing the controversies that NPSC had in the past years for coming under scanner on the fairness of the examinations being conducted and many of its officials coming under police and vigilance investigations, the chief minister is happy that during the last few years, there has not been any such incidents or scandals involving the members and officials of the NPSC.
Stating that there are many loose ends that need to be tied up in the area of recruitment to government jobs in Nagaland, Zeliang said the state government is thinking of bringing out better system and regulations for recruitment to all categories of government jobs, so that everyone gets equal opportunity.
Extending jubilee greetings to the past and present chairman and members of the Commission, the chief minister expressed hope that the commission will not only continue to maintain its prestige and dignity as a constitutional body, but also will continuously improve itself in the years to come, and prove itself worthy of public confidence.
Member NPSC Nungsanglemba Chang in his welcome address expressed pride that NPSC is not lagging behind when compared with other states, and also the first in the country in implementing 100% online application system successfully since its introduction.
However, he also maintained that despite taking utmost care to avoid any error in its functioning to deliver justice to all sections of the society, the commission has become the centre of public accusation and criticism in the event of any inadvertent mistake during the conduct of exams and selection of candidates.
To this, he said the common phenomenon with the people is that the unsuccessful candidates usually blame the commission for their failure, while the successful candidates hardly come forward in appreciation of the commission. However, he maintained that those challenges help the commission to be more successful, efficient and transparent.
While thanking the government of its unflinching support and cooperation, he also appealed to the government to complete the construction of quarter at an earliest possible time. He also appreciated the government for providing additional building as examination hall for the differently-abled candidates, however stated that it still requires equipments like tailor frames, Braille slates, geometry kits and electronic devices for those candidates with visuals and hearing impairments. He expressed hope that department will take up the matter with the centre at the earliest.
In a short speech, Nukshi, BDO, a successful NPSC candidate, advised aspirants that hard work and perseverance is the key to success. Narrating his journey, Nukshi said he started sitting for NPSC since 2008 and came out successfully only in the fifth attempt and added that his was a living example who succeeded only through hard work, perseverance and honesty.
Stating that NPSC has been playing a vital role in assuring good governance in appointing highly qualified and intellectual officials, he appealed to the Naga people to have faith in the commission instead of always criticizing it. At the same, he requested all the departments concerned to give opportunities to thousands of deserving unemployed Naga youths, whenever any vacancy arises.
He also appealed to the commission to continue to maintain consistency, fairness and its integrity as it has a vital and indispensable role to play.
The programme led by Keyirangding Hegui started off with invocation prayer offered by Rev TW Yamyap, Finance Secretary, NBCC, power point presentation by Kelhousetuo Nakhro, Deputy Secretary NPSC, special song by Topeni Assumi and vote of thanks pronounced by Sarah R Ritse, NCS, Secretary NPSC.
