Job Reservation Row: Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio urges patience, says reforms after Census

KOHIMA — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday called for patience on the contentious issue of job reservation, stating that the state Cabinet has resolved to undertake administrative reforms after the national Census is conducted.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of an event in Kohima, Rio noted that the commission constituted to study the matter has a comprehensive mandate, and its work will take time.

“The job is a very detailed one and cannot be completed immediately, so everybody needs to have patience,” he said.

He reiterated that the state Cabinet had earlier decided that any reform related to administration, backward reservation, or delimitation should be pursued only after the census is carried out.

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“The cabinet had also taken the decision earlier that for reformation of administration or any backward reservation or delimitation, it should come after the conduct of the Census,” he said.

Referring to the Centre’s plans, Rio added, “The government of India has announced that the Census will begin by 2027.”

The chief minister asserted that the state government does not intend to make any temporary arrangements regarding the reservation policy. “There were lapses in some of the arrangements. So, we want to settle these issues once and for all,” he stated.

When asked about the 5 Tribes Committee’s opposition to the inclusion of civil society leaders in the commission, Rio responded that the government is aware of their concerns. “The state government will look into their concern, and we have no disputes with anyone,” he said.