The Combined Technical Association of Nagaland sought a re-exam after officials admitted lapses in the Forest Guard recruitment process in Kohima.
Share
-1770825607971.jpeg&w=1200&q=75)
KOHIMA — Following alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Forest Guards conducted by the department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) on Wednesday met department officials along with representatives of Forest Guard aspirants in Kohima.
Later in the evening, CTAN convenor Meshenlo Kath briefed the media on the outcome of the meeting and recounted that CTAN had recently submitted a representation to the department seeking a re-conduct of the written examination, which led to the meeting being convened.
Kath said that officials admitted to certain loopholes in the conduct of the examination and accepted responsibility for the lapses.
Also read: Nagaland: CTAN demands forest guard re-test over alleged recruitment irregularities
He added that CTAN pressed the department on whether a re-examination would be held and, if not, what alternative measures would be taken, maintaining that mere accusations and clarifications would not resolve the issue.
WATCH MORE:
Kath shared that CTAN found itself in a difficult position, as it did not wish to undermine candidates who had genuinely cleared the examination through hard work, while also addressing the grievances of aspirants who, despite scoring well in the written test, were not called for the viva voce.
Following a marathon meeting, Kath said that the department clarified that the list already published was “not the final result” and agreed to disclose the merit list and provide a wait list.
Even as the aspirants insisted on a re-examination, he said that CTAN, recognising the practical difficulties involved, suggested an alternative.
Kath said that vacancies would arise when Forester-II posts are filled through promotion of Forest Guards, resulting in about 63 posts.
In this regard, CTAN proposed that candidates who had cleared the physical test, including the running event, and who had been demanding a re-examination be given an opportunity to sit for a fresh written examination conducted strictly as per procedure, without loopholes.
The association demanded that the minutes of the February 11 meeting be forwarded to the government and that a copy be provided to CTAN. The association, he added, will wait for the government’s response and take further steps depending on the outcome.
Kath informed that CTAN expects a response within a month, pointing out that the department’s assurance that the published list was not final. Until then, he said, appointment letters would not be issued to selected candidates.
Warning of further action if the issue is not addressed seriously, Kath said that CTAN could revisit the matter of five Forester-I posts for which it had issued an ultimatum to the PCCF in 2022 but was unable to pursue at the time due to other engagements.