Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) has appealed to Nagaland Governor La Ganesan to intervene on the issue of regularization process of contractual assistant professors in the Higher Education department, describing it as a violation of the principle of equal opportunity.
NNQF, comprising NET/PhD-qualified individuals eligible for the Common Educational Services Examination (CESE) under Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC), emphasized that CESE mandates candidates need to possess NET/PhD qualifications,
clear a written exam, and undergo an interview with a panel of experts. It said, recruitment bypassing this rigorous process undermines fairness and equal opportunity.
NNQF pointed that it had already filed court cases against alleged backdoor appointments in the Higher Education department. NNQF said following discussions in the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on regularizing 154 contractual assistant professors, it had submitted a representation to Higher Education minister Temjen Imna Along on September 23, 2022. The representation urged the minister to withhold the regularization process as the matter was sub judice.
NNQF also highlighted similar appeals made on October 9, 2024, and December 19, 2024, to the authorities and through local media. It said, despite this, a notification dated December 18, 2024, indicated plans to absorb the contractual assistant professors, it said.
NNQF has raised concerns that many of the contractual appointees lack the requisite qualifications or were not recruited through CESE. It said regularizing these positions, would reduce the number of vacancies advertised through CESE, leading to certain subjects being permanently excluded from recruitment. NNQF said this, in turn, would leave qualified aspirants overage and deny them opportunities for fair competition.
NNQF deemed such practices unfair to candidates who undergo rigorous screening processes, including written exams, academic evaluations, and interviews. It warned that bypassing standard recruitment protocols sets a dangerous precedent, opening the door for manipulation and irregularities in the future.
While opposing the current absorption process, NNQF expressed support for age relaxation for contractual employees, enabling them to compete in open recruitment through NPSC and CESE. NNQF reiterated its commitment to ensuring equal opportunity and urged the Governor to halt the absorption process to safeguard fairness in recruitment.
Saturday, July 5, 2025