While the current chief secretary Temjen Toy is on medical leave and with Jane Alam taking temporary charge, Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has appealed to the State government to appoint the “right person” as chief secretary (CS) without discrimination and bias.
In a statement, NPRAAF cautioned that unfair appointment of a CS would set a wrong precedence for the future governments and demoralise the state bureaucracy, especially sincere government servants. The forum, therefore, urged upon the government to consider its appeal seriously and act justifiably by putting the matter to rest instead of dragging further. It also recalled that after then CS Pankaj Kumar (IAS, 1987 batch) went on deputation to Delhi, the next senior most officer R Binchilo Thong was rightly appointed as CS.
However, NPRAAF said Tali Temjen Toy (IAS 1989 batch) was later brought in and Thong posted as director general of ATI “without good reason”.
NPRAAF said it has come to learn that Toy is undergoing medical treatment and require replacement.
NPRAAF said it was a mystery as to why Thong was removed as CS, after Pankaj Kumar left for Delhi. It opined that perhaps since Thong was on medical leave undergoing medical treatment for his heart surgery and frequenting Delhi, it could have been one of the reasons, though the reason is unclear.
NPRAAF claimed that reliable sources informed that Thong “is now fully recovered and fit” and stressed that an important factor to be considered is that Thong is the senior most IAS officer of Nagaland cadre and a bona fide citizen of Nagaland with good credentials. Hence, majority of the Nagas would prefer him as CS, claimed.
NPRAAF also said at a time when Nagas are passing through a crucial political settlement, it was of paramount importance to have a Naga CS at the helm of State bureaucracy for the larger interest of Nagas.
It also pointed out that of those in the panel for CS, Rajiv Bansal (IAS, 1988 batch) is on Central deputation, Toy (IAS, 1989 batch) is on medical treatment, Jyoti Kalash (IAS, 1990 batch) is presently posted as additional CS and resident commissioner of Nagaland House, Delhi including Sentiyanger Imchen and current CS Jane Alam.
NPRAAF suggested that the State government examine the matter properly and take just decision in all fairness without flouting conventional norm of seniority while appointing the CS.