Naga Students’ Federation demands rollback of Cabinet decision to absorb assistant professors

• Flags nearly 100 alleged backdoor appointments in 17 departments

NSF officials addressing a press conference on Thursday at NSF office in Kohima. (EM Images)

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• KOHIMA — The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Thursday condemned the absorption of the 147 assistant professors under the department of Higher Education, and demanded a rollback of the Cabinet decision that had enabled the move.
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• This was stated during a press conference addressed by NSF Vice President Mteisuiding Heraang along with General Secretary Chumben Khuvung, Assistant General Secretary Kenilo Kent, and Secretary of Publicity and Information Pithungo Shitio at its office in Kohima.
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• Heraang stated that the NSF had submitted a representation to the state government through the Chief Secretary on April 14 and hoped that the government would respond positively.

Also read: Protesters demand revocation of Nagaland government order on contractual posts

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• It expressed objection to the decision taken by the Cabinet on September 11, 2024, approving the adoption of 151 assistant professors serving on fixed pay under the department of Higher Education as a one-time dispensation.

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• It reiterated that the NSF has given several representations, but the government was reluctant to hear the voice of the people and went ahead to regularise the service of the 147 assistant professors on December 17, 2024.
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• He said that when the NSF had met the minister in charge in October last year and made it clear that it didn’t support the absorption, the minister assured them to keep the matter in abeyance and go for further consultation. But the government went ahead with the decision, he added.
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• Pithungo Shitio hit out at the government for taking the decision of absorption through a “hide and seek policy.”
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• Reiterating that the federation will ensure the revocation of the decision to absorb the assistant professors, he warned that if the state government remains adamant, it will initiate its own course of action.
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• Shitio pointed out that contractual appointments started way back in 2009, and initially, they were drawing a salary of INR 8,000—which was enhanced to INR 12,000 and subsequently to INR 20,000—while in the year 2020, it went up to INR 30,000.
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• He added that the federation understands the sentiment of the contracted lecturers and that it is not seeking termination but demanding the state government to roll back its cabinet decision and let the assistant professors continue on a contractual basis.
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• Also, the NSF flagged close to a hundred alleged backdoor appointments in 17 government departments.
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• Heraang alleged that despite the federation’s efforts, there are still rampant appointments being made in various departments. He highlighted that the NSF had submitted a representation to the chief secretary on April 10, urging action on the matter.
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• Shitio informed that the findings were part of the first phase of the federation’s initiative.
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• He further stated that a one-month period was given to the chief secretary for all defaulting departments to submit termination orders, including those in pay level 3 and above.
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• The federation also raised concerns regarding Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), alleging that some were appointing individuals up to the level of assistant manager. In this regard, the NSF had written to the government to initiate action on these appointments.
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• It expressed concern that some PSUs were operating under memorandums, bylaws, and service rules that permitted direct appointments at pay levels ranging from INR 10,000 to INR 30,000. The NSF reiterated its demand for the termination of such appointees.
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• The federation stated that it would continue to monitor irregularities in departments, particularly those attempting to appoint individuals at pay level 3 and above, either on a contractual or regular basis.