Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, 14 Aug: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) on Friday warned the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) and the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) against initiating any fresh recruitment without implementing the new eligibility criteria approved by the state Cabinet, even as it called off its proposed 17 August bandh.
AAPSU president Meje Taku said the union withdrew the bandh after the government acted on its demands before the deadline set by the students' body.
However, he made it clear that any recruitment process initiated without incorporating the mandatory Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) certificate, permanent residence certificate (PRC) and indigenous language proficiency requirements would face opposition from the union.
"If the next recruitment process does not incorporate these provisions, we will protest against the APPSC and APSSB," Taku said.
The state Cabinet on Thursday approved uniform eligibility criteria for direct recruitment to government posts, requiring candidates to possess a valid PRC and APST certificate and demonstrate proficiency in at least one indigenous tribal language of Arunachal.
The government had constituted a high-power committee headed by Cabinet Minister Nyato Dukam on 6 July to examine the recruitment issue. The committee held its final meeting on 10 August.
Taku said the three conditions addressed the concerns that had triggered the demand for removal of the existing 80:20 recruitment system. He recalled that Arunachal had earlier followed a 50:50 arrangement before the AAPSU's intervention resulted in the 80:20 system.
Clarifying the language provision, Taku said candidates would have to be proficient in at least one indigenous language of the state, but there would be no written examination or allocation of marks for it during recruitment.
The language proficiency would instead be assessed after appointment, he said.
Taku said the provision would also play an important role in preserving indigenous languages, and appealed to parents to ensure that children learn their mother tongues.
The AAPSU president also urged government employees, particularly APST officers, to shoulder greater responsibility for the state's development.
He claimed that the union has received complaints against some ministers, advisers and officials over alleged non-performance and misuse of funds, and warned that the AAPSU would resort to democratic means if such issues are not addressed.
On the interstate boundary issue, Taku said the AAPSU held discussions with the chief minister, home minister and the regional committee, and submitted representations to the government. The union will continue to press for a permanent settlement, he said.
"We know how to pressurise the government to work. We have to work in the interest of our state," Taku said.
Referring to the Lekang protest and questions being raised over the AAPSU's stand, Taku said the union cannot respond to every criticism and is prepared to face legal proceedings if the matter reaches the courts.
He reiterated that the Cabinet-approved recruitment provisions must be implemented from the very next recruitment process, maintaining that the AAPSU would oppose the APPSC and APSSB if they proceed without incorporating the new criteria.
Claiming that a few Cabinet ministers in the Pema Khandu government do not have a vision beyond their home constituencies, Taku urged the Cabinet ministers to discharge their duties sincerely with a pan-Arunachal spirit, without concentrating only on their home constituencies.
He alleged that some ministers behave as if they are the ministers of their community, district, and constituency, thereby depriving people from other areas. The AAPSU president cautioned that if this culture of exclusivity continues, the apex students' organisation may launch a democratic movement against such ministers.
