Reported by Henry L Khojol
Aizwal: Members of the influential Mizo student body, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), on Monday staged a gherao outside the Tourism Department office in Aizawl to protest the re-employment of the department’s director after her retirement in April.
The protesting students prevented the director and department staff from entering the office premises. Police officials said the demonstration remained peaceful and the protesters dispersed later in the afternoon as no officials reported to work during the agitation.
The controversy centres around the reappointment of R. Lalrodingi, who retired on April 30 as Additional Director in the Commerce and Industries Department and the Geology and Mining Department. Before her retirement, the government issued an order on April 24 re-engaging her from May 1 with dual responsibilities as Director of Tourism and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Chief Minister Lalduhoma.
Following objections raised by the MZP during a meeting with the Chief Minister on May 13, the government revoked her appointment as Tourism Director on May 15, allowing her to continue only as OSD to the Chief Minister. However, the government reversed its decision once again on May 22, directing Lalrodingi to assume the additional charge of Tourism Director with immediate effect.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the latest development, MZP president C Lalremruata accused the Chief Minister of going back on assurances made during their earlier meeting. According to him, Lalduhoma had promised in writing that the government would review the decision to re-employ Lalrodingi as Tourism Director.
Lalremruata clarified that the organisation did not object to her appointment as OSD, describing it as a political posting, but strongly opposed her continuation as Tourism Director. He reiterated the MZP’s long-standing opposition to the re-employment of retired officials, arguing that such appointments hinder career advancement opportunities for serving employees and reduce employment prospects for educated youth.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Lalrinpuii defended the government’s move, saying Lalrodingi’s expertise was urgently required in the department. She noted that the retired bureaucrat had previously worked with the North Eastern Council (NEC) on tourism-related matters and had also briefly handled the Tourism Director’s responsibilities before retirement.
According to the minister, Lalrodingi played a key role in securing central funds and contributed significantly to several tourism initiatives in the state. She also said that no eligible official within the department was immediately available to take over the Director’s post after Lalrodingi’s retirement.
Lalrinpuii further stated that the government considered it a practical temporary arrangement to retain her services on a monthly salary of ?35,000. She appealed to the MZP to understand the situation, adding that many ongoing tourism projects had progressed due to Lalrodingi’s experience and administrative capabilities.