The reply to an RTI application of the marks obtained by the candidates in the interview stage of the NCS/NPS/NSS & Allied Services Examination conducted by the Nagaland Public Service Commission continues to be the big shock of 2017 for the people of the state. The biggest upset is for the aspirants and the many rights group urging the government to conduct all job interviews from certain grade through the NPSC.
In this same column, Eastern Mirror has categorically stated that the members of the NPSC obviously think that they are God and as of now there is no more logical reasoning unless the commission comes up with a better explanation. If the same members of the interview board can give scores less than 40 percent for a personality test then the same members are not expected to give 98.82 percent to any candidate. All the candidates in the personality test outclassed the rest of the competitions in two levels of examinations to be called for the interview and so it defies logic to have such a wide gap in the marks among the same lot. The overtly generous way of allotting marks in the personality test just indicates that the commission members are deliberately indulging in unfair means and think they are untouchable.
To break apart what really goes into in these dealings, the immediate conclusion is bribery where cash transactions occur between the families of the candidates and members of the commission probably through some middle agents. However it is highly unlikely in Nagaland especially for a Naga to directly opt for money in lieu of generous marks, although there will be exceptions. Bribery cases along with other wrong doings among the lower rung staff of the commission was detected earlier and arrested but among the members of the commission it is highly doubtful.
If it was the 1990s and 2000s then threats and intimidations by the armed groups could be another reason for bias by the members of the commission. At present even that is ruled out. Any form of blackmail is also ruled out because the members of the commission are all supposed to be exemplary citizens themselves in their own fields. No one expects them to have dark secrets. It is their success in the eyes of the world that enabled them to get selected as members of the commission as deemed fit by the ruling government.
That leaves one with just a few other reasons but highly probable in the case of Nagaland. It is reported that earlier in the bureaucratic circles of Nagaland the favourite phrase used to be, “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch your back”, and it still might be one at present. In other words, a favour for a favour. In the typical Naga social setup where even the urban areas are just an extension of the village systems with, families; in-laws; clans; villages; regions; tribes; localities; and churches too, it is quite probable. Moreover the favours from those in the government also need to be returned. The plain old nepotism where one tries to give a push to someone known might also take place. It can either be a small help extended to someone needy or a deliberate push for a family member. An extra push to a known candidate also ensures that although already set to get through the examination he/she gets higher marks than his fellow aspirants and automatically his/her name goes up in the seniority list, resulting in quicker promotions. So no one is corrupt and no one takes bribe but everyone is either helping someone or just returning a favour. Everyone’s conscience is clear and all go back home elated and as good Christians wait eagerly for the next church service.
However the most dangerous of all will be a case where the commission really tries to act like God as alleged and does the marking based on tribal and religious lines. Unless there is a rivalry among the commission members themselves where one tries to outdo the other in allotting marks, it is quite likely too. If that happens then there will be an unwritten rule to ensure that there is proper representation among the tribes although there are already reservations for OBCs. The question of religion also comes because over the years the government has been inducting persons with religious background into the commission. If the intention is to clean up the commission then it is a novel step but if it in anyway gives leverage to aspirants based on their religious background then it is a travesty of the democratic ideals of the country. It is unconstitutional and our lawmakers and the commission members who swore on this same constitution before their respective inductions need to read the Preamble of the Indian Constitution and also further read Article 16. The whole process of conducting the examination becomes a farce in both the cases because if Nagaland has to follow this somewhat representative model then all job openings should be reserved on the lines of tribe, region, SEC level and religion. That would be fair to all.
The allegations against NPSC were always there and in some instances wrongdoers have been arrested. As human, clerical errors in some cases are also acceptable. But all those are exceptional cases and are never the norm and the commission till now had always enjoyed the benefit of doubt. However the recent disclosure of the marking system that throws light on the probable conscious misconduct by the commission members led by the Chairman will be the biggest beating that the NPSC has taken in its history. Unless some drastic changes are brought about, the image of NPSC might never recover from it.
In the interview stage at present, at least 300 candidates are called for a total of about 100 posts, which is two times the total number of posts. With the current system of selection process especially the way marks were allotted in the interview what would be going on in the minds of those unsuccessful candidates who missed narrowly. So also of those who did not get their preferred posts just because they had no one to give that extra push in the interview stage. With the huge number of backdoor appointments that too in most cases who hardly work, the NPSC was one last institution that many believed in and it gave a ray of hope to the many unemployed youths who have nothing and no one to rely on but their skills. Can the NPSC command that same respect after the recent disclosures? No. History has taught us well that trouble starts when the youth of a nation loses hope. It is time for the government to take it seriously. Moreover as stated earlier, it is apparent as of now that the conduct of the commission is unconstitutional and so litigation is highly probable in the near future.
