The local activist group Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum
(NPRAAF) has informed that the government has conceded to the demand of the
group.
Leaders
of the NPRAAF informed on Thursday that they met with the parliamentary secretary
for Tourism, Apok C Jamir, in Kohima town on July 27.
The
meeting reportedly discussed the representation that was submitted by the NPRAAF
seeking redress over various issues including anomalous appointments in the
Tourism department, besides a demand to increase ‘sanctioned posts’ of tourist
officers in the state.
According
to a press release issued by the NPRAAF on Thursday, the two sides agreed on a memorandum
of understanding as proposed by the forum following a series of meetings with
various departmental officials including the department’s director KT Thomas
and two assistant directors, V Doulo and I Temjen Ao during various occasions.
The parliamentary secretary agreed to initiate ‘taking over of all tourism infrastructures already constructed but yet to be handed over to the department within 45 days.’
The
NPRAAF stated that there were ‘many infrastructures lying unused owing to
unknown reasons but still under the authority of certain individuals / landowners.’
They
also agreed that from now on clearance and utilization certificates for ‘infrastructural
development’ would be issued jointly by the engineering wing and a tourist
officer in concern.
The press release stated further that the parliamentary secretary also ‘agreed that any deputation service sought by the department would be declared open for competition and be filled within one year from the date of utilizing that deputation service.’
Said
policy seeks to provide opportunities for other ‘unemployed qualified youth’ to
vie for government jobs.
Likewise,
the government has ‘agreed to stop absorption policy except on extreme
exigencies since such policy becomes a bane for educated unemployed youth as it
denies them any available opportunity to compete for jobs.’
Further,
the state has agreed to ‘completely stop absorption along with post’, in order
to create job openings in the Tourism department.
Further,
the parliamentary secretary agreed not to allow further privatization of
tourist lodges in the state ‘as privatization was not contributing much to the
treasury.’ In line with the department’s service rules for 12 sanctioned posts for
tourist officers, the parliamentary secretary agreed to designate 12 ‘senior
most’ tourist officers as district tourism officer ‘which can be arranged
without financial implications,’ the group stated.
Concerning
irregular appointments and promotion to the post of tourist officers, the
department also offered clarifications to a number of cases, the forum stated. ‘As some cases remained unclear, the parliamentary
secretary assured NPRAAF of looking into the matter for necessary action.
Further, the parliamentary secretary assured that under his leadership, there
shall be no backdoor appointments,’ the organization asserted in their press
release.
The
NPRAAF stated that it would ‘periodically monitor the commitment made by the parliamentary
secretary in the interest of justice.’ The group has assured support and
cooperation to the Tourism department in meeting stated objectives.
(Al Ngullie, July 28, 2016; Eastern Mirror)
(Al Ngullie, July 28, 2016; Eastern Mirror)
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