EMN
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 1
The ANSWFSEA will be staging a sit-in protest on November 4 outside the Secretariat Complex, Kohima against non implementation of its demand for Amendment/Review of Service Rule 1997. In connection with this, the association has made a clarion call to supervisors/welfare inspectors referred to as the “Backbone of the ICDS” that it is “Now or Never”, and further urged its members to join the chorus against apathy, discrimination, bureaucratic complacency/lack of political will and other corrupt practices and reclaim rightful place in the ICDS set up.
It may be mentioned that the association had temporarily suspended the agitation on August 28 last based on the assurance by the responsible authority to redress the grievances at earliest. However, even after months have elapsed the case is being kept in abeyance, stated a press note issued by Benjamin Sema, media in-charge of ANSWFSEA.
Giving a brief background, ANSWFSEA stated the Social Welfare Department is beset with striking stagnancy especially at the level of supervisor and equivalent cadre. This point may be illustrated that, at present there are around 150 supervisors among which the senior most batch from the year 1992, comprising 21 supervisors recruited through NPSC and have rendered 23 years of continuous service are still awaiting first promotion. Going by the present trend, some of them are likely to retire from the same post, the statement added.
The association, over the years, has correctly pointed out inherent defects in ‘The Nagaland Social Security & Welfare Service (revised) Rule, 1997’ which caused stagnancy and approached the department on numerous occasions to rectify the discrepancies, stated ANSWFSEA.
The association also pointed out that besides certain obvious omissions, there are Articles/Rules in the Service Rule 1997 which are inimical to the welfare of the Supervisors/Welfare Inspectors and equivalent cadres. For instance, the Rule 5 (2) of the existing Service Rule has provision for dual entry point to the executive posts, that is, from the level of Supervisors/equivalent cadres and at the CDPO Level despite of same prescribed qualifications for both sans rationale, it reminded.
Further, aggravating the magnitude of stagnancy, many of the CDPOs are appointed through deputation/contract basis and regularized without adherence to the Direct Recruitment (Rule 6) provision enshrined in the Service Rule, added ANSWFSEA.
The Director, the Secretary and the Minister of Social Welfare are well versed of the underlying issue and have acknowledged the validity of the Association’s demand, but so far no tangible solution has been arrived at, stated ANSWFSEA.
