DIMAPUR — Against
Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland and the Lotha Students' Union
(LSU) have strongly opposed the absorption of assistant professors and
librarians into the Higher Education department without public advertisement,
competitive recruitment, or adherence to norms.
ACAUT seeks removal of minister
The ACAUT Nagaland opposed the move and stated that the
Cabinet decision of September 11, 2024, approving the absorption of assistant
professors serving on fixed pay as a one-time dispensation, was blatant and
totally unethical.
It questioned the credibility of the state government and
was detrimental to the aspirations of qualified individuals who are competing
through legitimate and competitive means.
In a press statement, ACAUT demanded the removal of the
inefficient incumbent minister and his replacement with a "more sensible
and qualified person" to take care of the department.
It also demanded the immediate revocation of the
regularisation order for the contractual posts of assistant professors and
librarians and that all the sanctioned posts be requisitioned to the Nagaland
Public Service Commission (NPSC) and Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB), or
else it would be compelled to seek legal recourse.
It reminded that in 2016, ACAUT and Public Service Aspirants
of Nagaland (PSAN) filed a writ petition in the High Court against various
illegal/backdoor appointments, which have affected many cases of service
regularisation. In the petition, 607 classes I and II Nagaland Public Service
Commission (NPSC) posts in 32 departments were challenged.
LSU demands revocation of absorption
The Lotha Students' Union (LSU) has condemned and expressed
outrage over the "arbitrary and unjust absorption" of assistant
professors and librarians into the Higher Education Department without a public
advertisement, competitive recruitment, or adherence to constitutional norms.
In a press statement, the LSU stated that this action is not
merely an administrative oversight; it is a deliberate assault on justice,
meritocracy, and the aspirations of an entire generation of educated Nagas.
Contractual appointments are inherently temporary and should
not be used as a covert means to secure permanent positions. The quiet,
concealed regularisation of these posts, without scrutiny, fairness, or public
notice, is a gross abuse of power and a betrayal of every hard-working and
qualified youth in Nagaland.
It stated that across the state, NET, SLET, and PhD
holders—individuals who have sacrificed years in pursuit of academic
excellence—have waited patiently for a just opportunity. What they have
received in return is silence, exclusion, and insult.
Noting that when prestigious posts like assistant professors
are handed out behind closed doors, it doesn’t just erode public faith in the
system; it sends a chilling message that, in today’s Nagaland, merit is
negotiable and privilege rules.
The LSU demanded the immediate revocation of the absorption
and called upon the authorities to advertise the vacancies afresh and conduct
recruitment through a fair, transparent, and open selection process, in line
with the Constitution and the fundamental principles of equity and justice.
The LSU stated that it stands in solidarity with the Naga
Students' Federation, Dimapur Naga Students' Union, Combined Technical
Association of Nagaland, the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum, and with every
student body, civil society organisation, and conscientious citizen who has
spoken out against this betrayal.
