NASSA opposes service extension of Nagaland Commissioner and Secretary, Amendment of NLA Service Rules

Dimapur, May 30 (EMN): The Nagaland Assembly Secretariat Staff Association (NASSA) has opposed the service extension of Dr. PJ Antony, Commissioner and Secretary (on contract basis) of the NLA and the “arbitrary” Amendment of NLA Service Rules 2022.

In a press release, the NASSA stated that Dr. Antony was appointed on deputation for five months on Jan. 2 2020 after the NLA Secretariat requisitioned the post of Secretary from the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

However, the government re-appointed him with the approval of the Cabinet as Commissioner and Secretary (on contract basis) for two years from June 1 2020 to May 31, 2022 after he retired from the regular service.

The association said that it had submitted a representation in 2020 opposing the move, and in view of the official’s contract service slated to expire this month, once again requested the NLA Speaker through a representation last month not to further extend his service, citing Additional Secretary fulfilling the criteria to head the administration but the file recommending service extension was moved.

It went on to say that a notification on the Amendment of NLA Service Rules issued on May 18,wherein it said “a provision to extend the service of a superannuated officer till the age of 65 years which is totally against the existing policy of the state government with regard to the retirement policies”.

The NASSA alleged that the amendment appeared to have been done without the intention of improvement but to suit the interest of the incumbent official whose contract is due to end this month.

It went on to say that it convened an emergency general body meeting on May 23 to discuss the matter, wherein it decided to constitute a Joint Action Committee to address these issues and to take immediate remedial action. The house resolved to oppose the service extension and to repudiate the Amendment notification, failing which it said will resort to its own course of action”.