CTAN opposes move to alter JE-SDO recruitment ratio

Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) has opposed the proposed alteration of the JE-to-SDO recruitment ratio, urging authorities to retain the existing 60% direct recruitment and 40% promotion quota.
In a representation to the engineer-in-chief, Public Works Department (PWD), CTAN said the proposal to increase the promotion quota to 50% would undermine meritocracy, disturb cadre structure and go against established service jurisprudence.
The association stated that the existing ratio was a constitutionally recognised framework balancing experienced personnel with induction of qualified technical graduates through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). It pointed out that 95.6% of JE recruits in the past five years were B.E./B.Tech degree holders, reflecting the effectiveness of the system.
CTAN said service law required recruitment quotas to maintain a rational link with administrative efficiency, citing principles upheld by the Supreme Court of India. It cautioned that the proposed 50:50 ratio could restrict vacancies notified through NPSC and invite legal challenges. Referring to the Nagaland Engineering Service Rules 2006 (NESR 2006), CTAN noted that the rules had addressed anomalies where diploma holders superseded degree holders, and warned that increasing the promotion quota could revive such issues.
It further said reducing direct recruitment would affect employment prospects of graduates and weaken long-term cadre quality, impacting infrastructure development. CTAN urged authorities to retain the existing ratio, stating any deviation would be detrimental to public interest and legally vulnerable.