Guwahati: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) said it will oppose the next government recruitment process if it does not follow the new eligibility rules approved by the state Cabinet.
The union has also withdrawn its planned August 17 bandh after the government met its demands within the deadline, AAPSU President Meje Taku said on Friday.
Taku said the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) and Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) must include three conditions in future recruitment, a valid Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) certificate, a permanent residence certificate (PRC) and proficiency in at least one indigenous tribal language.
The Cabinet approved the common requirements for direct government recruitment on Thursday. Candidates will have to produce valid PRC and APST certificates and show proficiency in an indigenous tribal language of Arunachal Pradesh.
A high-power panel headed by Cabinet Minister Nyato Dukam had examined the recruitment issue after being formed by the government on July 6. The committee completed its final meeting on August 10.
Taku said the three requirements address the issues behind the AAPSU’s demand to scrap the 80:20 recruitment system. He said the state previously followed a 50:50 system before the union’s intervention led to the 80:20 arrangement.
He clarified that language proficiency would not form part of the written recruitment examination and would not carry any marks. The requirement would be checked after a candidate is appointed.
Taku said the provision could also help preserve the state’s indigenous languages and asked parents to encourage their children to learn their mother tongues.
He also called on government employees, particularly APST officers, to take greater responsibility for the state’s development.
Taku alleged that the AAPSU had received complaints involving some ministers, advisers and officials over alleged non-performance and misuse of funds. He said the union would take democratic action if the concerns were not addressed.
Taku said the AAPSU has also taken up the interstate boundary dispute with the chief minister, home minister and regional committee, besides submitting representations to the government.
He said the AAPSU knew how to put pressure on the government to act and would continue working in the interest of Arunachal Pradesh.
On the Lekang protest and criticism of the union’s position, Taku said the AAPSU could not answer every criticism and was ready to face legal proceedings if the matter went before a court.
He again called for the new recruitment rules to take effect from the next selection process and said the union would oppose the APPSC and APSSB if they failed to implement them.
Taku also accused some ministers in the Pema Khandu government of lacking a vision beyond their own constituencies. He urged them to perform their duties with a pan-Arunachal outlook instead of focusing mainly on their home areas.
He further alleged that some ministers functioned primarily as representatives of their communities, districts and constituencies, leaving people from other parts of the state at a disadvantage.
Taku warned that the AAPSU could begin a democratic movement against such ministers if this approach continued.