'Absorption of assistant professors contravenes 2016 cabinet decision'

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  A screengrab from a press conference held at the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union's office on Tuesday. (EM)

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• DIMAPUR — Continuing with the ongoing debate over regularisation of assistant professors, the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) on Tuesday disclosed that as per an RTI reply received by the union, 144 assistant professors were absorbed by the Department of Higher Education on December 18, 2024.
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• These posts were initially contractual appointments made between January 30, 2015, and February 18, 2020.
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• This was informed by the assistant general secretary of DNSU, Rukewezo Wetsah, during a press conference here at the DNSU office.
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• Wetsah said that in light of these revelations, the DNSU had earlier issued a press release on 8 April, condemning the “absorption” which bypassed the mandated recruitment process through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC).
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• This is in contravention to the June 6, 2016, cabinet decision on regularisation of contractual employees, he said.
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• He also maintained that the February 8, 2024, wherein the cabinet approved a policy for regularisation of contract or adhoc employees undermined the principle of right to equal opportunities.

Also read: ACAUT, Lotha Students' Union slam lack of fair process in absorption of professors, librarians

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• DNSU general secretary, Michael Kath, affirmed that the union was raising the issue for “justice, fairness and transparency” since it affects all of Nagaland.
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• “While many absorbed assistant professors are NET/PhD qualified and have contributed significantly, however their appointments bypassed proper recruitment procedures,” he added.
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• Pointing out that the controversial “regularisation” was against the 2016 government order banning contract appointments, the union urged the government to rectify “this injustice and restore youth faith in a fair recruitment system.”
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• DNSU president, Hinoto Aomi, claimed that the government had “carefully prepared” for the absorption of the assistant professors, “meeting all criteria, which explains the political silence.”
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• Commenting that the “issue is complex and requires open, informed debate with politicians and intellectuals,” Aomi insisted that if the government is sincere, then it should find a “fair solution” for both assistant professors and aspirants.
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• When asked about some colleges supporting the absorption of assistant professors, he opined that the students might have acted “under pressure.”
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• He questioned whether they (students) will choose fair competition through exams or backdoor appointments in the future.
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• On the outcome of DNSU's meeting with the Higher Education Minister Imna Along, Aomi disclosed that they had a healthy debate.
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• He went on to mention that “it's not solely the minister's responsibility, as recommendations may be coming from others behind the scenes.”
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• He further said that if regularisation is the goal, then it should be done through proper channel. “While their years of service and dedication deserve recognition, it's equally important to consider those who never had the opportunity to compete through fair recruitment channels,” he added.