Nagaland: NASSA begins two-day pen down strike

Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 3 (EMN): The first day of pen down strike called by the Nagaland Assembly Secretariat Staff Association (NASSA) to protest the appointment of for Commissioner and Secretary of the NLA, Dr. PJ Antony to the post of Principal Secretary, and the “arbitrary” Amendment of NLA Service Rules, passed off peacefully on Friday.

Vice President of NASSA, Rocus Rino told journalists that the staff have ceased work and did not allow any files to move out as part of the two-day peaceful protest, which will conclude on Saturday, after which the association will decide the next course of action.

He clarified that the association is ‘against the wrong system- arbitrarily amending the Service Rule that a contractual or a superannuated person can be appointed on contract up to the age of 65 years’. “A retired person cannot be an administrative head of a department,” he added.

When asked why the association went ahead with the protest despite the case being in the court, he said the court has given time till June 9 (two weeks). ‘The court order clearly mentioned that no promotion, no appointment, or no extension whatsoever relating to the Service Rule should be made in the Assembly Secretariat within that period (till June 9),’ he said.

‘However, the speaker issued the appointment order on June 2, which compelled the association to call for a two-day pen down strike,’ the vice president added.

NSF, CANSSEA write to Chief Secretary

Meanwhile, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has written a letter to the chief secretary, raising objection to extension of Anthony’s service from June 1 2022 to November 30, 2023.

It said according him promotion with administrative authorities despite his superannuation is unfortunate and should be rectified without delay. It added that an alternative arrangement could have been done if his service is indispensable for the smooth functioning of the concerned department but not the present arrangement.

Stating that it won’t tread lightly on the issue, the student body has appealed to the chief secretary to look into the matter and ensure that the service extension notification is revoked.

The All Nagaland State Services Employees’ Association (CANSSEA) also submitted a representation to the chief secretary, stating that NLA’s notification issued on May 18 contradicts the Nagaland Retirement from Public Employment Act, which governs all the state employees.

Maintaining that its federating association’s grievances appear to be genuine, CANSSEA has appealed to the chief secretary to address it at the earliest and treat all government employees equally.