Dimapur, October 24: Nagaland government staff have announced plans to intensify their ongoing strike from October 27, protesting alleged manipulation and favouritism in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) selection process. The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), representing multiple staff associations including CANSSEA, FONSESA, NF&ASA, NSSA, and NIDA, stated that the decision follows a resolution adopted during a meeting on October 19.
The JCC claims that the IAS induction process has been influenced by political interests, compromising merit-based selection. “As the pen-down strike enters its 10th day and with no urgency shown by the government, it appears the political establishment is deeply involved, confirming favouritism over merit,” the committee said in a circular issued on Thursday.
The circular further accused the government of using procedural lapses as a pretext, treating bureaucrats as scapegoats to advance “their favoured candidate.” The committee, joined by several drivers’ and grade-IV staff associations, emphasized that their democratic agitation will continue in phases until the government restores transparency, including the reinstatement of the original March 10, 2025 vacancy circular and the cancellation of the “non-NPSC/backdoor candidate” from the IAS panel list.
