Administrative reform needed for good governance, says RPP

Dimapur, Sep. 13 (EMN): The Rising People’s Party (RPP) has said that administrative reform is necessary to usher in good governance, terming the conferment of IAS status to Nagaland Civil Service (NCS) officers based on seniority as irrational.

In a press release, the party stated “Nagaland has its own dynamics and a way of life which non-Nagas may not understand or appreciate much”.

Citing a couple of incidents involving civil servants in the state, the party claimed that “directly recruited IAS officers (mostly Non-Nagas) have no respect for the place nor love for the people they serve” and most of them don’t want to serve in the state due to geographical location of the state’.

With the exception of a few non-Naga officers who had greatly contributed to the state, the RPP alleged that most of them seek comfort by way of deputation in Delhi and elsewhere.

“Given the background, it’s imperative that local officers from the NCS, NPS and allied services are given the required push to become DCs and SPs of the districts at the right age – young age rather, so that the continuity of good administration is continued,” the party stated.

“However, the normal situation in the state is to confer IAS only after about 25-30 years of service which is highly irrational. This seniority system is monotonous and a career killer,” it said, adding that the whole idea of conferment is to identify talented officers in their prime.

The party stated that “conferment based on aptitude, rather than seniority, will instil dynamism in governance and make the bureaucracy more competitive”. “The RPP will ensure that an officer’s performance report and talent or aptitude is given more weightage over seniority when case for conferment is made,” it added.

“The RPP will also ensure that appropriate cadre review is carried out allowing for officers from the NCS, NPS & allied services background the opportunity to reach the top of the administrative pyramid, up to the level of Addl. Chief Secretary, the second highest post in the administrative setup which at present is reserved only for the directly recruited IAS officers, through default of course,” read the press release.

The party stated that it would take these steps if the people give it an opportunity to serve them.