School and college students led by Naga Students’ Federation president Mutsikhoyo Yhobu (in black jacket) and general secretary O Wati Jamir (extreme right), during today’s silent procession in Kohima, Wednesday, June 10.
Kohima | June 11 : Following the failure on the part of the government to fulfill the demands of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) with regard to the latest scandal in the Nagaland Public Service Commission, the NSF today submitted an ultimatum to L Kire, Commissioner & Secretary to Chief Minister, at the official residence of the CM this morning. The ultimatum has yet to receive any response from the CM’s secretariat as the chief minister is out of station.
The ultimatum was appended by NSF president Mutsikhoyo Yhobu and general secretary O. Wati Jamir. The students on May 25 submitted an ultimatum serving 10 days to the government to initiate prompt action against NPSC officials involved in tampering NPSC answer-scripts. However, no action from the government has been forthcoming even after the lapse of the period given. The federation said that the official response from the Chief Secretary on June 3 was an ‘eyewash’ only and vague which doesn’t fulfill the demands of the federation in any manner.
Today’s ultimatum said the nature of the recent NPSC scam requires speedy investigation and disposal. The federation expressed utter dismay and discouragement to see that the investigation appears to have been ‘stuck somewhere’ without any progress. The NSF officials did not rule out compromises being made in the scam given that high-ranking government officials and some sons and daughters of influential public leaders at the helm of affairs, are also involved.
‘Unless an independent judicial inquiry commission is constituted to look into the matter, the tempo of the inquiry will remain static and nothing can come out of the present initiative,’ the NSF observed. The Naga Students’ Federation further demanded total revamp of the NPSC to ensure transparency and accountability in the entire management of the commission. Terming the NPSC institution to be at its lowest ebb and that it needs to wake up from the corruption and manipulation, the NSF said public confidence has to be regained.
‘NPSC products might develop stigma and would not command respect from the general public which will indeed could hamper the overall functioning of the government in all aspects in return,’ the NSF observed.
The federation has reiterated its demand for thorough investigation into the whole murky dealings in the NPSC scandal and exemplary punishment for the culprits. The NSF further demanded setting up an independent judicial inquiry committee to probe the scandal.
Also, invoking the conscience of the parents of those who are involved in the scams, the NSF challenged them to own moral responsibility for the actions of their sons and daughters. The federation also challenged the public leaders who are at the helms of affairs to relinquish their government assignments and positions to ensure dispensation of justice.
The NSF said ‘enough time has been given to the government.’ The federation warned that failure to fulfill the charter of demands within the stipulated period would force the students to resort to agitations and that it would never be held responsible for any eventuality.
Earlier, the NSF president Mutsikhoyo Yhobu addressed students and volunteers in front of NSF office. He said the NPSC has become one of the dirtiest and most corrupted of institution in the state. Calling upon the youngster to be strict vigilant in all their further pursuits, Yhobu assured them that the Federation would leave no stone unturned in the quest for justice. The silent rally which started at 9:00 AM at the NSF office was attended by an approximate number of 5,000 students’ from different colleges and schools. They marched to the CM’s official residence.
The ultimatum was appended by NSF president Mutsikhoyo Yhobu and general secretary O. Wati Jamir. The students on May 25 submitted an ultimatum serving 10 days to the government to initiate prompt action against NPSC officials involved in tampering NPSC answer-scripts. However, no action from the government has been forthcoming even after the lapse of the period given. The federation said that the official response from the Chief Secretary on June 3 was an ‘eyewash’ only and vague which doesn’t fulfill the demands of the federation in any manner.
Today’s ultimatum said the nature of the recent NPSC scam requires speedy investigation and disposal. The federation expressed utter dismay and discouragement to see that the investigation appears to have been ‘stuck somewhere’ without any progress. The NSF officials did not rule out compromises being made in the scam given that high-ranking government officials and some sons and daughters of influential public leaders at the helm of affairs, are also involved.
‘Unless an independent judicial inquiry commission is constituted to look into the matter, the tempo of the inquiry will remain static and nothing can come out of the present initiative,’ the NSF observed. The Naga Students’ Federation further demanded total revamp of the NPSC to ensure transparency and accountability in the entire management of the commission. Terming the NPSC institution to be at its lowest ebb and that it needs to wake up from the corruption and manipulation, the NSF said public confidence has to be regained.
‘NPSC products might develop stigma and would not command respect from the general public which will indeed could hamper the overall functioning of the government in all aspects in return,’ the NSF observed.
The federation has reiterated its demand for thorough investigation into the whole murky dealings in the NPSC scandal and exemplary punishment for the culprits. The NSF further demanded setting up an independent judicial inquiry committee to probe the scandal.
Also, invoking the conscience of the parents of those who are involved in the scams, the NSF challenged them to own moral responsibility for the actions of their sons and daughters. The federation also challenged the public leaders who are at the helms of affairs to relinquish their government assignments and positions to ensure dispensation of justice.
The NSF said ‘enough time has been given to the government.’ The federation warned that failure to fulfill the charter of demands within the stipulated period would force the students to resort to agitations and that it would never be held responsible for any eventuality.
Earlier, the NSF president Mutsikhoyo Yhobu addressed students and volunteers in front of NSF office. He said the NPSC has become one of the dirtiest and most corrupted of institution in the state. Calling upon the youngster to be strict vigilant in all their further pursuits, Yhobu assured them that the Federation would leave no stone unturned in the quest for justice. The silent rally which started at 9:00 AM at the NSF office was attended by an approximate number of 5,000 students’ from different colleges and schools. They marched to the CM’s official residence.
Govt.’s NO to judicial probe
Dimapur, June 10 (MExN): The state government today declined the Naga Students’ Federation’s demand for an independent judicial investigation into embattled Nagaland Public Service Commission. Nonetheless, if later on the police’s investigation “is not able to establish the facts” an independent judicial probe can be considered. The government today responded to the number of demands made by the NSF to ‘cleansing’ the tainted commission. An official letter addressed to the NSF’s president from Temjen Toy, Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Nagaland was receive here today.
The government declined instating an independent judicial committee to probe into the case of tampering or manipulation of answer scripts in the NCS, NPS & Allied Services Examinations, 2008, and the Lecturers’ Recruitment Examinations, 2008. It will not be ‘conducive’ at this juncture as investigations into the matter in concern have already been initiated by the police, the government said. This was also elaborated in the Chief Secretary’s letter on June 3, 2009, the letter said.
“If a judicial inquiry is set up now it will tantamount to setting aside the investigation already conducted by the police. If, at a later stage, it is felt that the police investigation is not able to establish the facts of the case, then the issue of a judicial inquiry can be considered” the government said. Over the issue of terminating from service two NPSC officials found involved in “the incident”, the letter said, it can be decided only after the final verdict is pronounced by the court or by a departmental inquiry which will be conducted by the commission after the seized documents are released to the commission by the investigating agency.
Any punitive action taken against the two officials without awaiting the conclusion of ‘aforementioned exercises’ will be prejudiced, the letter said. It would tantamount to infringing upon their constitutional rights which will not stand legal scrutiny and so be to their advantage, the government explained.
The government then referred to the demand for revamping Nagaland Public Service Commission. It has been carried out to a “considerable extent” through a number of notifications in February, 2008, according to recommendations of the high power committee, the government said. These notifications are the Nagaland Public Service Commission (Chairman, Members & Staff) Regulations, 2008 and the Nagaland Public Service Commission (State Civil & Other Services), Recruitment Rules, 2008.
The government has also sanctioned one post each of Programmer and Computer Operator to strengthen the examination section of the Nagaland Public Service Commission.
“It is unfortunate that despite the appeal made by the government in view of the explanation given, the Naga Students’ Federation had resorted to the silent procession on 10th June, 2009” the letter said. The government requested the Naga Students’ Federation to desist from any course of action which may vitiate the atmosphere or create difficulties in the functioning of the Nagaland Public Service Commission. Instead, the government seeks the cooperation of the Naga Students’ Federation in order to speedily and effectively dispose the case at hand, it added.
The government declined instating an independent judicial committee to probe into the case of tampering or manipulation of answer scripts in the NCS, NPS & Allied Services Examinations, 2008, and the Lecturers’ Recruitment Examinations, 2008. It will not be ‘conducive’ at this juncture as investigations into the matter in concern have already been initiated by the police, the government said. This was also elaborated in the Chief Secretary’s letter on June 3, 2009, the letter said.
“If a judicial inquiry is set up now it will tantamount to setting aside the investigation already conducted by the police. If, at a later stage, it is felt that the police investigation is not able to establish the facts of the case, then the issue of a judicial inquiry can be considered” the government said. Over the issue of terminating from service two NPSC officials found involved in “the incident”, the letter said, it can be decided only after the final verdict is pronounced by the court or by a departmental inquiry which will be conducted by the commission after the seized documents are released to the commission by the investigating agency.
Any punitive action taken against the two officials without awaiting the conclusion of ‘aforementioned exercises’ will be prejudiced, the letter said. It would tantamount to infringing upon their constitutional rights which will not stand legal scrutiny and so be to their advantage, the government explained.
The government then referred to the demand for revamping Nagaland Public Service Commission. It has been carried out to a “considerable extent” through a number of notifications in February, 2008, according to recommendations of the high power committee, the government said. These notifications are the Nagaland Public Service Commission (Chairman, Members & Staff) Regulations, 2008 and the Nagaland Public Service Commission (State Civil & Other Services), Recruitment Rules, 2008.
The government has also sanctioned one post each of Programmer and Computer Operator to strengthen the examination section of the Nagaland Public Service Commission.
“It is unfortunate that despite the appeal made by the government in view of the explanation given, the Naga Students’ Federation had resorted to the silent procession on 10th June, 2009” the letter said. The government requested the Naga Students’ Federation to desist from any course of action which may vitiate the atmosphere or create difficulties in the functioning of the Nagaland Public Service Commission. Instead, the government seeks the cooperation of the Naga Students’ Federation in order to speedily and effectively dispose the case at hand, it added.
