In the midst of this mayhem and chaos, where does one find the time to make plans for recruitment for various posts or even think of it. Every other day, one hears of Kuki militants attacking the Meitei villages in the fringe areas or taking pot-shots at villagers working in the fields while even poor villagers out collecting firewood from nearby Uyoks or hills are tortured and killed without mercy.
On the other hand, state forces are grappling with the job of area domination in Moreh and the hill ranges surrounding the valley with little or no help from central forces while the writ of state has been reduced to almost nil with frenzied mobs taking over administration in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. In the valley, there has been substantial increase in extortion and kidnappings for ransom besides a dangerous trend of gun culture.
And, we are no longer sure whether the state is seized of the complex situation arising out of nearly nine months of ethnic clashes and hatred. It complains of insufficient cooperation from central forces or of taking away powers which normally should be in the hands of the state government. Anyway, this simmering crisis needs undivided attention and a political will to bring back peace and normalcy in the state. And, this is not the time to go after detractors or those expressing extreme frustration at the lack of any tangible state action.
We are all for continuing with development activities despite the crisis. Yet one must understand that there are certain hindrances in continuing development work in both hills and the valley as a result of the enmity. So, one must be careful lest it becomes a reason for crying disparity.
Development must go on, while not being selective. But, a recruitment drive at such a juncture is not conducive in any way specially when the state is facing a fund crunch where the salaries and pension could not be paid in time and financial bills related to development activities are being held up. Recently, the state cabinet meeting held in Chandel district cleared the way for direct recruitment for filling up 50 per cent of vacant posts in various departments and 100 per cent in the state Home department.
Among the posts approved for direct recruitment included 136 posts of sub-inspector (male), 100 assistant sub-inspector (male) and 25 assistant sub-inspector (female). Everyone has heard of the whispers of corruption and of parents doing away with landed properties for a government job as a gift to their sons and daughters while the deserving candidates lay rotting by the wayside.
This has been one of the important reasons of frustration among the youths leading to either drug abuse or elsewhere. Our richest resource is human, educated and skilled. Only a few states in the country have such a resource base. Our skilled youths had gone beyond the state as the state was very much lacking in job opportunities.
Now, it has become the state’s responsibility to create opportunities here. In 2022, the Manipur Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Manipur Staff Selection Commission Bill, 2022 (bill number 5 of 2022) which will more or less ease the pressure on government departments with regard to recruitment in the lower grades, as Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) is burdened with recruitment of higher posts.
But, no one knows when would the Staff Selection Commission begin its work of recruitment of lower-level posts. Many departments are still processing the recruitment process while the Commission lies idle. So, as we ponder upon the timing of the recent Cabinet decision on recruitment it is only plausible that the head honchos of various departments and their political masters are in real haste. It seems, no work would be left for the Commission.
