Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio told the Nagaland Assembly on Tuesday that the vacant posts of 249 primary teachers and 66 graduate teachers would be filled up through the Department Selection Board as per Rule 6 B of the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education Service Rules 2017. He said a total of 9155 posts of primary teachers and 3361 graduate teachers created in the state.
Replying to a starred question by the Opposition Naga People’s Front (NPF) MLA Yitachu on the appointments made under the school education department on the first day of the two-day session, Rio stated three graduate teachers and 40 primary teachers were appointed since March, 2018 on ad-hoc basis and on compassionate ground.
NPF MLA Imkong L Imchen said while the performance of the private and government school teachers cannot be compared, the salary component is very different and their workload per teacher is also very different. He said the issue needs government attention.
The chief minister said, “The teaching profession is honourable. The outcome should also be honourable and should commensurate.” He said the proxy teachers, ghost teachers and all kinds of teachers who are not attending classes but drawing their salaries should be sacked.
Leader of the Opposition TR Zeliang and MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu suggested that advisors should be fully empowered to function and to answer in the House.
To this, the chief minister replied, “We have made consultations regarding it. The minister in-charge will reply after that any member can raise supplementary questions or reply including the advisors.”
Replying to a question raised by MLA Nienu, minister of roads and bridges Tongpang said the total fund allocated to restore all the district headquarters roads was Rs 25 Cr with priority being given to major roads with a distance of 116.455 km. He further said the department is taking up the work district wise.
When asked whether there was a master plan for maintenance of all major roads, Tongpang said the department is in the process of bringing out a comprehensive road policy which has already constituted the road maintenance task force.
Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton on the issue of influx of illegal immigrants said the administration and police in the districts are making periodic checks.
Patton, who also holds the home portfolio, said the state government in the past years had set up committees to suggest means to improve the inner-line permit system and had sent a team to neighbouring states to study the ILP system where it is implemented.
The session started with obituary references by the chief minister and the leader of Opposition on the passing away of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.
The members observed a two-minute silence to pay their respect to the departed souls.