JCC ends strike, demands proof and plan from Nagaland government

DIMAPUR — After calling off its pen-down and tools-down strike, the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) has asked the state government to furnish a copy of the cancellation letter of the 2024 IAS induction panel and to provide a tentative timeline for framing revised eligibility criteria for Non-State Civil Service (Non-SCS) officers.

In a statement issued on Friday, the JCC—comprising CANSSEA, FONSESA, NIDA, NSSA and NF&ASA—acknowledged the government’s decision to cancel the panel list for the 2024 IAS induction and its assurance to uphold meritocracy “in letter and in spirit.”

The committee said it was placing its demands “in good faith,” noting the state government’s earlier announcement that, “all decisions taken on the matter would be examined so as to arrive at an informed decision regarding the eligibility criteria for induction of Non-SCS into IAS after taking into account the views of all the stakeholders,” including the associations under the JCC.

It added that restoring the NPSC clause would ensure merit remains the benchmark for entry into the country’s highest administrative service.

The JCC said the government must spell out the timeframe within which it intends to take a “concrete policy decision” on the eligibility criteria, ensuring that merit at entry into service is acknowledged and upheld without any conditions.

Related: JCC calls off strike after Nagaland Cabinet decides to revisit IAS induction process

While reiterating that it had suspended its agitation because the government had taken “a constructive step” towards addressing its core demands, the JCC cautioned that it would be compelled to resume its democratic protest if the commitments made were not honoured.

It also urged the state to uphold meritocracy not only in IAS induction but across all public service appointments.

Earlier, late on the night of November 6, the committee had called off its strike after the Nagaland Cabinet decided to revisit the entire process of inducting Non-SCS officers into IAS.

The development came hours after the state Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, resolved to recall the panel of names submitted to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the 2024 IAS induction from Nagaland and to re-examine all previous decisions on the matter.

The JCC stated that it “firmly believes the government will abide by its decision in letter and in spirit and uphold meritocracy.”

With the Cabinet now recalling the list and promising a transparent review in consultation with the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and other stakeholders, the associations maintained that they expect the process to be conducted “strictly on merit and in accordance with rules.”