Nagaland Law Students’ Federation slams attempt to absorb 147 assistant professors, librarians

• DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Law Students’ Federation (NLSF) has strongly opposed the absorption of 147 contractual assistant professors and librarians into regular posts under the Higher Education department.
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• In a representation to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, the federation demanded the revocation of the government order dated December 17, 2024, which permitted the regularisation.
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• It stated that the NLSF, after much consideration and in keeping with a competitive and merit-based system, opposes any absorption or regularisation of posts under the purview of the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) and Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) without following properly established recruitment rules.
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• Noting that the federation office acknowledges the subsequent declaration of the notification regarding the regularisation or absorption of the 147 posts as null and void, it added that the initial attempt had raised significant legal questions and underscored the urgent need for a transparent and legally sound recruitment process moving forward.

Also read: Nagaland government denies issuing notification for assistant professors' absorption

• “The NLSF is deeply concerned about any actions that appear to circumvent established legal procedures and undermine the principles of fairness and equal opportunity enshrined in the Constitution of India and relevant service rules of the state. The attempted regularisation without adhering to the mandated recruitment processes through the NPSC raises several critical legal and ethical issues,” it said.
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• Citing a violation of Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, as it is discriminatory and infringes upon the fundamental rights to equality before the law and equal opportunity in matters of public employment, it stated that the action seemingly disregards the established rules and regulations governing the recruitment of public servants in Nagaland, for which the NPSC is the designated authority.
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• The NLSF also claimed that this action attempts to bypass established legal frameworks and erodes public trust in the fairness and integrity of governmental processes. It stated that the regularisation or absorption of Class-I posts is a practice of the past and that the government should not entertain such non-ethical measures, especially in the Higher Education department.
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• “The NLSF believes that upholding the rule of law and ensuring a fair and transparent recruitment process is crucial for the progress and integrity of Nagaland's higher education system,” it stated, adding that the NLSF demands the Government of Nagaland cancel its order dated December 17, 2024, which permitted the absorption, and reaffirm its commitment to conducting a fair, transparent, and legally sound recruitment process for 147 posts of assistant professor and librarian in the Department of Higher Education.
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• The Federation also demanded a clear public statement outlining the reason for the initial regularisation attempt and the measures being taken to prevent such irregularities in the future. It maintained that the NLSF office will not remain a silent spectator if the idea of favouritism, nepotism, or backdoor entry into regular service ever arises again.