ABSORPTION ORDER KEPT IN ABEYANCE; APPEAL TO CALL OFF STIR
The state government will constitute a committee, comprising of senior bureaucrats, to examine the issue surrounding the absorption of 147 assistant professors and librarians under the Higher Education department, said government spokesperson and minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye, on Monday.
Addressing media persons after an emergency cabinet meeting held at the Chief Minister’s residential complex, Kenye informed that the committee would present its findings within seven to eight weeks.
He added that the names of the members, including the committee head, would be announced shortly. Kenye expressed confidence that the committee would undertake an impartial study and come up with the most appropriate recommendations, adding that the government would await the committee’s report before taking any final decision.
The cabinet meeting was convened to deliberate on the ongoing agitation by the Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) and the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF), which entered its third day Monday. Hundreds of aspirants have continued their protest outside the Directorate of Higher Education, demanding that the government revoke its regularization order.
Kenye said the cabinet held detailed discussions after being briefed by the concerned department on how the issue had evolved over the years.
Acknowledging the grievances of both the agitating groups and the regularised teachers, he said the government was mindful of the complexities and aimed to take a balanced decision in the larger interest of all.
Kenye also informed that the absorption order would be kept in abeyance until the committee submits its report, and the current appointees would continue in their positions in the interim. Appealing for restraint, Kenye urged the protesting aspirants to call off their agitation and allow the government to address the issue through proper channels.
“The state’s peaceful atmosphere must not be disturbed,” he said, asserting that the government’s intention was not to antagonize teachers or deprive students.
On the issue of pending salaries for some contractual staff, Kenye described it as an unfortunate but widespread challenge due to resource constraints, and appealed for public understanding. He reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the issue in a comprehensive manner based on the committee’s recommendations.