Mizoram tourism director steps down amid MZP protests over reappointment
By NE NOW NEWS
Aizawl: R. Lalrodingi, a retired official recently reappointed by the government as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister and director of the tourism department, has resigned from her additional charge as tourism director following days of protests by the influential student body Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP).
Chief Minister Lalduhoma has reportedly accepted her resignation, bringing an end to a standoff that had paralysed the tourism directorate for three consecutive days.
Lalrodingi submitted a letter to the Chief Minister on Thursday seeking withdrawal of her appointment as tourism director. However, she requested that the status of the director’s post as a departmental officer position be legally protected.
The controversy began after the state government issued an order on April 24 reappointing Lalrodingi following her retirement as additional director in the Commerce and Industries Department on April 30. Her re-engagement came into effect from May 1.
The move drew strong opposition from the MZP, which argued that reappointing retired officials blocked promotional opportunities for serving officers and reduced employment prospects for educated youth.
The student body demanded immediate cancellation of Lalrodingi’s appointment as tourism director.
Following a meeting between MZP leaders and the Chief Minister, the government on May 15 cancelled the order and decided that Lalrodingi would continue only as OSD to the Chief Minister.
However, the government reversed its decision again on May 22 and directed that Lalrodingi would assume additional charge as director of tourism with immediate effect.
The decision triggered fresh protests, with MZP members picketing the tourism directorate from May 25 to 27, preventing Lalrodingi and other officials from entering the office.
In her resignation letter, Lalrodingi said the agitation had severely affected the functioning of the department.
“Due to the intense opposition from the MZP regarding my appointment as director of tourism, the office has virtually remained unable to function normally for the past three days, thereby affecting the smooth progress of tourism development activities,” she wrote.
“I do not believe it is right for me to remain in a position where I disrupt work and make your government appear as though it is showing undue favoritism. Therefore, I request that I be relieved from the post of director of tourism,” she added.
Expressing gratitude to the government for allowing her to serve in the tourism department towards the latter part of her career, she said the prevailing controversy had compelled her to step down.
Following her resignation, the MZP cancelled its proposed meeting to decide its future course of action.