MP Supongmeren Jamir urges recognition of tribal dialects in GDS recruitment

DIMAPUR — Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) from Nagaland, S Supongmeren Jamir, has called for immediate action to officially recognise the tribal dialects and languages of the state as 'third languages' in the recruitment process of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) under the Department of Posts.

In a letter submitted to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio earlier this month, the MP—who is a member of both the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communication & IT—expressed concern over the growing trend of non-local candidates securing GDS positions in the Northeast, particularly in Nagaland.

According to him, the current recruitment system, which relies solely on marks obtained in English or Hindi at the Class X level, disadvantages local candidates who are fluent in indigenous dialects but are not provided equal consideration.

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Citing recruitment figures, Jamir noted that three rounds of GDS hiring have taken place in the last two years for a total of 364 posts, including a special drive for 143 posts in January 2023.

He maintained that the absence of officially recognised tribal dialects as valid languages in the evaluation process severely limits opportunities for local youth.

Supongmeren pointed out that while the Department of Posts had acknowledged English as an official language in Nagaland, it also agreed in principle to engage with the state government to identify and recognise local dialects for evaluation purposes.

A similar precedent was successfully implemented in Arunachal Pradesh, where 23 tribal languages were recognised as valid mediums of assessment for GDS recruitment for a five-year period, he stated in the letter.

Further, the MP referenced several official communications, including a letter from the director general of GDS to the chief postmasters general of the Northeast Circle and follow-ups from the director of Postal Services in Nagaland to the home commissioner.

Despite the Home Department's recognition of various tribes, including the Tikhir as a distinct Naga tribe, the state government has yet to officially notify their dialects as 'third languages', he stated.

Accordingly, the MP urged the chief minister to direct the departments concerned to expedite the process, stressing that such recognition is essential to ensuring fair recruitment and boosting employment opportunities for the tribal youth of Nagaland.