Aizwal: Mizoram’s influential student organisation, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), on Wednesday called off its agitation seeking reforms in the Mizoram Public Service Commission (MPSC) after the state government constituted a committee to review the commission’s recruitment system, an organisation leader said.
The MZP had launched its protest on August 6 with a peaceful demonstration before intensifying the agitation by picketing the MPSC office from Monday. The picketing prevented officials and staff from entering the premises.
The student body had sought structural and recruitment-related reforms in the MPSC, along with additional manpower to improve its functioning. Formation of a reform committee and withdrawal of the One Time Registration (OTR) system were also among its demands.
MZP general secretary Lalhmingsanga Chhangte said the organisation had initially planned to continue the agitation but decided late Wednesday to withdraw its proposed picketing on Thursday after the state government announced the formation of the reform panel.
In an order issued on Wednesday, the Mizoram government constituted a seven-member committee headed by the Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DP&AR) to undertake a comprehensive review of the recruitment framework and procedures for government jobs in the state.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma, who also holds the DP&AR portfolio, constituted the committee. It includes senior officials from the MPSC, Home, Law and Judicial, General Administration and Finance departments, while the Joint Secretary of DP&AR (General Service Wing) will serve as the member secretary.
The committee has been tasked with reviewing the recruitment process at every stage, including application and registration, examinations, document verification, selection and declaration of results.
It will examine existing recruitment rules, guidelines and procedures and identify systemic bottlenecks, procedural gaps and administrative constraints that may affect the efficiency, transparency and credibility of the MPSC.
The panel will also recommend measures to simplify the application and registration process, particularly to address difficulties faced by candidates. It will review examination and selection procedures and propose steps to improve transparency, fairness and consistency.
In addition, the committee will examine the existing mechanisms for handling candidates’ grievances and recommend a time-bound and effective grievance redressal system. Ensuring equal access and opportunities for all recruitment aspirants will also form part of its mandate.
The government has authorised the committee to co-opt other officials or subject experts when necessary and to determine its own procedure for conducting its work.
The panel has been directed to submit its report to the state government within two months of its formation.
In a statement, the MZP urged the committee to carefully examine all the concerns raised by the organisation and address them through a fair and transparent process.
The student body also assured the committee of its cooperation and expressed hope that the difficulties faced by candidates in connection with the MPSC would be resolved appropriately.