DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 5: The Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court has allowed the Government of Nagaland to go ahead with recruitment process as per rules for posts and services under the purview of the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) with 1-year age relaxation.
The Bench was hearing an interlocutory appeal (civil) filed by the State Government in the PIL No. 10/2021 praying for modification of the order passed on September 1, 2021 in the PIL, suspending operation of the Office Memorandum dated July 16, 2021, issued by the Chief Secretary to the Government of Nagaland wherein the ban on all fresh appointments including various vacancies arising out the sanctioned post in all Government Departments imposed by O.M dated April 22, 2020 was partially lifted with certain conditions. In the OM dated July 16, 2021, Nagaland Chief Secretary had allowed 10 Departments listed in Category-A to complete recruitment process, with respect to the total of 160 various posts. It also relaxed and permitted 66 Departments listed in Category-B for recruitment of a total number of 1357 various posts.
The OM stated that the concerned Department shall carry out the recruitment by the NPSC and the respective Departmental Recruitment Board (DRB) (for posts outside the purview of the NPSC) as an exception till such time the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) is made functional. Further, it said all Group-D posts shall be filled up by the respective inhabitants of the districts except for Group-D posts under the Secretariat and Directorate offices, as per the rules in force.
There shall be relaxation of age for entry into Government service for a period of 1 year with effect from April 22, 2020, the OM said.
In today’s hearing, Additional Advocate General, Kekhriengulie appearing for the State Government submitted that concerning posts and services within the purview of the NSSB, since the matter is sub-judice, the State is not insisting on vacation or modification of the order, but as far as the posts which are to be filled up through recruitment conducted by NPSC or DRB the order may be modified so that recruitment can carried out as per the respective service rules.
Counsel for the respondent, N Koza also submitted that she has no objection in modifying the order provided the State respondents conduct the recruitment process as per the service rules.
In view of the submissions of the Counsels and in the interest of the public at large and the unemployed youths who are looking for job in particular, Justice Songkhupchung Serto and Justice S Hukato Swu ordered modification of the order dated September 1, 2021 to the extent that the petitioners in the I.A/respondents in PIL are allowed to go ahead with the recruitment process as per rules as far as the post and service which are under the purview of the NPSC are concerned with the age relaxation given in the memorandum.
The Court also listed the matter again after 3 weeks for hearing in respect of the other posts and services.
(Page News Service)
