MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu cautions against hasty decisions on job reservation quota in Nagaland

KOHIMA — MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu on Tuesday urged the Nagaland government not to rush decisions on job reservation and backward quota, cautioning that doing so without proper study would only heighten existing tensions.

Speaking during the starred question hour of the Seventh Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly in Kohima, Nienu said the issue could “create more confusion than bring understanding” if not carefully examined.

He expressed support for the demand by five tribes to review the reservation policy, but not for resorting to agitation. He reminded the House that the January 11, 1977 order had identified certain tribes as educationally and economically backward with insignificant representation in government services.

Reiterating the purpose of reservation, Nienu said it was intended to promote social justice and equality and to address disadvantages faced by weaker sections of society. He called it “a systematic attempt to break the circle of poverty and oppression” by ensuring equal opportunities in state administration.

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Welcoming the formation of a commission on job reservation, he suggested that the government assess the total population of each tribe, collect employment data across departments by tribe, and analyse whether employment is proportional to population size. He added that any decision should be based on updated population and employment records.

He informed the House that while seven tribes had employment figures above their population share, nine tribes remained below it. He added that this disparity should be treated as a tribal issue requiring careful review.

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Another area of contention, Nienu said, is the division of reservation percentage, noting that eastern Nagaland tribes receive 25 percent, while Chakhesang and Zeliang get 4 percent each, Pochury 2 percent, Sumis of Kiphire 2 percent, and persons with disabilities 4 percent. As such, “We have to be rational in our dealings and paper work,” he added.

Status of gazetted and non-gazetted staff

In response to Nienu’s starred question, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio presented data from the Personnel Information Management System (PIMS), P&AR department, as of August 26, 2025.

For Class I and II gazetted officers, the report recorded 4,889 regular Class I officers, 623 non-regular Class I, 3,538 regular Class II, and 654 non-regular Class II.

For Grade III and IV staff, the figures stood at 59,375 regular Grade III, 11,136 non-regular Grade III, 17,510 regular Grade IV, and 25,667 non-regular Grade IV.