Nagaland constitutes panel to examine job reservation policy

Dimapur: The Nagaland government on Monday constituted a five-member job reservation commission to examine and submit a report on reservation policy in government employment in the state, with retired IAS officer R Ramakrishnan as its chairman.

An official notification stated that the commission is tasked with making recommendations for a suitable policy governing the equitable representation of various tribes in the state's government employment.

The commission has been asked to submit its report within six months.

In the exercise of its functions, the commission will have access to all government records and documents that it feels relevant to the discharge of its duties.

It will also have the power to call any government official or department to brief it on issues relating to its terms of reference.

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The terms of reference of the commission will be to examine the constitutional and statutory provisions governing reservations in government employment in the central and various relevant state governments.

It has been asked to critically examine the educational and economic parameters that are being applied for determining the criteria for reservation.

It will also examine the existing job reservation policy in the state and its impact on the representation of various categories in government employment.

It will hold comprehensive consultations with representatives of apex tribal bodies, and other stakeholders, including students, employees' associations and the like, on the equitable application of the reservation policy, among others.

The commission will make recommendations, based on the terms of reference, for the consideration of the government. It will also examine such other matters as the government may hereafter refer to it, the notification said.

On September 20, the 5 Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nagaland government to constitute a job reservation review commission. It warned of a total shutdown in the state from October 1 if the government fails to set up the commission.