Nagaland govt urges striking employees to call off protest

State government spokesperson and Power Minister K.G. Kenye renewed the state government’s appeal on the striking services associations under the umbrella of Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on induction of non-state services officers to the IAS cadre to call off their strike.
Addressing the media at Hotel Japfü here Thursday, Kenye said the State Cabinet was concerned about the prolonged agitation, which has “paralysed government offices” across the state.
He said that the government acted within constitutional framework over IAS induction but the continued strike disrupted administration and normal functioning of offices. He cautioned that the government will be compelled to take measures to restore normal functioning as it had endured inconvenience for the sake of peace but there is a limit.
Kenye clarified the controversy stemmed from a March 10, 2025 advertisement inviting applications for one IAS cadre post exclusively from State Civil Service (SCS) officers. He stated this notification was issued without the approval of the competent authority. It was based on a 2020 order by the then-chief secretary, which had “neither been discussed nor approved at the political level.”
According to Kenye, the 2020 order deviated from the long-standing convention that allowed both State Civil Service (SCS) and non-SCS officers of merit and integrity to be considered for IAS cadre selection.
After reviewing the matter, the Cabinet found the order lacked legal and procedural validity. Consequently, it directed the withdrawal of the controversial March 10 notification and issued a revised one on April 24, 2025. This new notification is in line with the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) guidelines and the IAS Appointment and Promotion Regulations, 1997.
Kenye informed that the State Screening Committee had shortlisted five candidates from 11 applicants, whose names were then forwarded to the UPSC. He maintained that the state government strictly followed DoPT procedures and had not initiated any new practice.
“The government has done nothing irregular. We are merely continuing the convention that has been followed by successive governments since statehood,” he stated.
While acknowledging that the JCC had submitted representations to the DoPT and UPSC, Kenye said the state would await the outcome. “Until then, it is only fair that the ongoing strike be called off so that public service is not held hostage,” he appealed.
Kenye emphasized that agitation cannot become a routine practice, as elected governments must be allowed to function. “In any democracy, the government cannot be expected to face agitation for every administrative decision,” he remarked. He urged the agitating groups to engage in dialogue.
On the allegation that “backdoor appointees” were included in the IAS list, Kenye clarified this description was misleading. He explained that regularized officers serving with integrity and seniority had “earned their due consideration.” “Not everyone can excel in competitive exams, but if officers prove their capability through service and responsibility, there should be room for their advancement as well,” he said.
Citing a Supreme Court precedent from Rajasthan that upheld the inclusion of a non-SCS officer, Kenye said the situation in Nagaland was comparable. He asserted that the government had acted within the constitutional framework but cautioned that if the strike continues to disrupt administration, the government will be “compelled to take measures” to restore normal functioning.
“We have endured inconvenience for the sake of peace, but there is a limit,” he remarked.
Describing the strike as an attempt to hold the government “to ransom,” Kenye appealed to the “conscience” of state employees and their duty to serve the public. “There is always room for understanding and rectification without paralysing the entire system,” he stated.
Responding to suggestions of internal sabotage, Kenye said he preferred to treat recent procedural lapses as “unintentional” errors, “not something driven by ulterior motives.” He concluded with an appeal to “let normalcy return” and resolve the issue through dialogue.