ULB polls, NSSB viva-voce issues need introspection, says Temjen Imna Along

KISAMA — Minister of Higher Education and Tourism, Temjen Imna Along, on Wednesday said there is a need to contemplate more on the proposed 12.5% marks for viva-voce in the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) examination and the Urban Local Body (ULB) election.

Along stated this in an interaction with journalists on the sidelines of an event at Kisama, Naga Heritage Village.

 “What the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) is trying to send across is for the government to contemplate; obviously there are many needs as NSSB is evolving as a new government agency for recruiting the government machinery officials, ministerial staff and all,” he said.

READ: NSF reiterates demand for viva-voce marks reduction in NSSB

He opined that a collective decision will be taken “very early” under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and the cabinet, and those things will have to be discussed more. He added, “I think NSF is also open to it.”

Asked if there can be manipulation as alleged by the NSF if the viva-voce is kept at 12.5 % in the NSSB, the minister said manipulation can happen in anything even if it were to be only 2%. He, however, said the people who are being recruited need to have ‘holistic characteristics’ and the government has ‘done right’ by keeping 12.5% for the viva-voce.

He maintained that if it is a matter of further discussion, the government is going to discuss more, adding that the government also needs to listen to the voice of NSF.

On the recent Supreme Court contempt order to the state government on the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) election, Along said that the chief minister and the cabinet have always wanted to be inclusive in their decision.

He added that the state government needs more time in contemplating and discussing further with the civil societies and NGOs so that ULB can become a reality according to the context of the tradition of the Nagas.

Also read: Nagaland ULB polls: SC asks Centre to explain whether constitutional scheme can be violated