Nagaland Legislative Assembly speaker Sharingain Longkumer has urged the Nagaland Civil Service officers to set and maintain high standards of excellence in their profession. Addressing the 46th general conference of Nagaland Civil Services Association (NCSA) at Niathu Resort here on Friday, Sharingain said civil servants played a key role in ensuring the well-being of citizens through their efficient discharge of duties. He reminded the officers that they represented the government and hence should lead their teams effectively, as their performance directly influenced public perception about the government.
He stressed the pivotal role played by civil servants as visible face of government, calling on them to lead with integrity and distinction. He urged officers to recognise the profound impact of their performance on citizen’s well-being, underscoring importance of their responsibilities and accountability. Criticizing the practices of favouritism and lobbying for coveted positions, he called for a collective effort to rectify such tendencies, ensuring equal opportunities for all deserving officers.
Sharingain also highlighted the role of civil servants, now leaning heavily towards developmental initiatives. He cited various projects such as Lighthouse (NECTAR) project, Element Nagaland project, CMHIS, IDAN, and others where NCS officers were actively contributing to state’s progress.
He underscored the key role of officers in guiding rural areas towards economic growth, given the significant influx of resources.
Acknowledging the officers’ wealth of experience, he highlighted their capacity to bridge gaps in government policies, providing crucial insights for effective governance. He expressed confidence in the government’s commitment to enhance cadre management, improve working conditions, and bolster capacity building initiatives, while also encouraging the officers to actively seek training opportunities, recognising the evolving demands of a highly competitive age.
“The NCS officers by virtue of their varied field experiences are an asset that can bridge the gaps that Government policies may at times have overlooked by providing the critical inputs to the Government to enable change and adaptation to differing local conditions and requirements, so that Government functioning can become more relevant and effective,” he maintained.
Recognising the unique challenges facing Nagaland and where majority of the populace resided in rural areas, he noted that the Nagas were proud of their identity. He however questioned whether they were proud of where they were at the moment, stressing returning to the roots and assessing the well-being of communities at the village, block, and district levels.
He also emphasised the importance of effective governance at the grassroots level, specifically mentioning the village councils (VCs). He called for making extra efforts to ensure that statutorily-mandated services reach the people.
He said failure to do so could hinder the collective aspirations of 274 NCS officers, 60 MLAs, and an equal number of IAS and IPS officers. Calling for collective efforts and participation, he emphasised prioritising the younger generation’s future.
The speaker commended the dedication of NCS officers, while extending his regards to all members of the NCSA and wished the 46th general conference a resounding success. He termed the commended the organization for the conference, envisioning it as a pivotal platform for reflection on past accomplishments, identification of pending goals, and setting trajectory for future achievements.
He recalled that the NCS cadre had a history dating even prior to the attaining of statehood, noting its establishment in 1959 during the time of Naga Hills Tuensang Areas (NHTA), adding that the NCS cadre had now expanded to comprise 274 dedicated members.
Recognised as the leading civil service in the state, Sharingain said its members had exemplified exceptional dedication during challenging times, often at great personal sacrifice, paying tribute to those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
Delivering the keynote address, chief secretary J Alam highlighted the key role of NCS officers as premier civil servants of the state. He said the NCS officers played a critical role in executing government laws, while acting as agents of social change and economic development.
He expressed his admiration for the heartwarming and inspiring stories documented by NCS officers, which he believed should serve as a source of inspiration for the association and society as a whole. Despite the challenging conditions under which the officers work, he noted that satisfaction derived from positively impacting society and gaining insights into people’s lives were un-paralleled.
Highlighting the significance of insights gained by NCS officers in the field, he remarked that such insights often shaped government policies. He acknowledged that while emoluments and perks NCS officers received might not match those of other professions, but the unique opportunities to serve the people and uplift them made their work incomparable.
The chief secretary also drew attention to the special protection granted to civil servants under Article 309 of the Constitution of India. Referring to the absence of a hiring and firing system for NCS officers, he commented that this ensured that their service conditions remain protected and could not be altered to their disadvantage.
Addressing the issue of transfers, he admitted that while there were rules in place, their implementation was not satisfactory, causing dissatisfaction among officers. He reiterated the government’s commitment to establishing a proper rule-based system for transfers and postings.
Alam also acknowledged challenges faced by NCS officers, especially in today’s digital age where even minor issues were rapidly circulated via platforms such as WhatsApp. He commended the NCS officers for their ability to deliver effectively in the field despite such challenges.
He stressed the importance of NCS officers fostering a culture of generating fresh ideas and innovations. He stressed that integrity, transparency, and accountability should be the guiding principles, while admitting that reforms were necessary to enhance service delivery and upgrade skills.
He urged the officers to consider specialising in certain areas, as the time of being generalists was waning and specialists were becoming essential. He asked the officers to continuously reflect on their work, identify gaps, and generate ideas to find solutions.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment to working with the NCSA to bring about positive changes and improvements in the state’s civil service. Earlier, the programme was chaired by ADC Keyirangding Hegui and EAC Aleyim I Solo, while invocation was offered by Kingdom Culture Church pastor Visasier Kevichusa and presidential address given by NCSA president Limawapang Jamir. A special number was delivered on the occasion by NCSA band and vote of thanks was offered by NCSA vice-president Renabomo Odyuo.