Activists seek Nagaland governor’s intervention over alleged irregular promotion in Tribal Affairs department

DIMAPUR — A group of RTI activists in Nagaland has submitted a representation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, alleging irregularities in the appointment and promotion of senior officers, particularly the Director of Tribal Affairs.

In its petition addressed to the governor, the group claimed that the current Director of Tribal Affairs, I Sino Phom, was not appointed through a competitive examination as required under service rules.

Consequently, they urged the governor to order a verification of her eligibility and the legality of her promotion.

Citing information obtained through Right to Information (RTI) applications, the activists said that records related to Phom’s initial appointment at Nagaland University were “not available,” raising questions over the transparency of the process.

According to the group, the RTI replies revealed that the officer was first appointed as deputy co-ordinator in the Centre for Mass Communication, Nagaland University, on May 19, 2005, on a fixed-pay basis.

She was later appointed as a lecturer on August 17, 2007, and subsequently joined government service on deputation as officer on special duty (OSD) under Planning and Coordination department in 2011.

Also read: Dimapur Congress rejects Health department clarification

Nagaland: Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio flags investment and connectivity concerns at CPA conference

Her latest promotion, from additional director to director in the department of Tribal Affairs, was issued on August 1, 2023.

The activists claimed that the promotion did not comply with the Office Memorandum issued by the Personnel and Administrative Reforms (P&AR) department on August 29, 2019, which requires a minimum of 20 years of cumulative service before officiating promotion.

“Based on the records, she had completed only about 18 years of service at the time of her promotion,” the group stated, calling for the matter to be reviewed as per service rules.

The representation also urged the state government to conduct a wider review of all director-level appointments across departments to ensure that only duly qualified IAS or NCS officers occupy such posts, in keeping with norms of merit and transparency.

“We are confident of Your Excellency’s commitment to uphold good governance, fairness and accountability,” the petitioners wrote, appealing for the Governor’s “kind and timely intervention.”

The representation was signed by Zakie Rüpreo, Azoy Zeliang, ST Yapang Lkr, Zavitso Kense, and Zakielabei Zumvü on behalf of the RTI Initiative Nagaland.