MLA and Leader of NPF Legislature Party, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu today said that the issue of backward quota job reservation is creating more confusion than understanding within Naga society.

Speaking on the matter during the Assembly Session, Nienu stated that while he fully supports the demand of the five tribes for a review of the job reservation system, he does not support the agitation methods being adopted.

“The 11th January 1977 order notification is very clear. The criteria is that the following tribes, which are educationally and economically very backward and have insignificant representation in government services, should be included,” he said, adding, “Now, the simple answer is instead of trying to make a hue and cry, it is trying to create a problem, given hatred speeches, trying to point fingers at one another. Those tribes, which have qualified,  should be pulled out from the backward quota. It is easy as that.”

The NPF Legislature Party leader also said he was impressed with the idea recently put forward by the Chief Minister on the backward reservation issue, noting that it was very similar to his own. He underlined that the primary purpose of the reservation policy was to maintain and promote social justice and equality, redress inequalities and disadvantages suffered by certain group of people in the society due to historical and social conditions and to systematically break the cycle of poverty and oppression suffered by disadvantages or weaker section of the society.

“It is also to ensure equal representation in the governing and administration of the State by providing equal opportunities to all, especially the weakest sections,” he added.

However, Nienu stressed that no debate on such an issue can be complete without concrete suggestions. He put forward four specific steps that the government should consider before finalising the matter.

He said the government should not take hasty decision on these issues, as it would only worsen the existing tension without carefully examining and analyzing the issues.  While welcoming the formation of the Commission for Job Reservation, he suggested few steps to be considered before they finalize it.

• To assess the total population of each tribe , number one.
• To collect data on employment across all departments categorised by tribes.
• To determine whether the number of employees in each tribe is proportionate to their population size, and;
• To announce a solution that will be based on the latest population and employment reports of the state.

“When we come to that, that data that is issued by the state Government and also the PIMs and Census of India, speaks volumes, speaks for itself,” he added.

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He said there are seven tribes in Nagaland whose share of employees is greater than their share of the population, while nine tribes have a lower percentage of employees compared to their population size.

“So now, it is very clear that we never tried to make it a tribal issue and should not try to pinpoint,” he said adding, “This table itself will solve the whole problem, so the government needs to do this.”

He further referred to the proposal raised by the Konyak community regarding distribution of quota percentages—25% for Konyaks, 4% each for Chakhesangs and Zeliangs, 2% each for Pochurys and Sumis of Kiphire, and 4% for PwDs.  He said once correction is made, this also needs to be taken up.

Stating that he is not against any tribe, Nienu said, “We have to have rational thoughts, dealings and paperworks as well.

“Now, 25% here, seven tribes, their population would be a little bit above the Konyak tribes. But the Konyak enjoy the same percentage as all the other tribes. So there is no rationality,” he added.

Citing other tribes, he said the Chakhesangs have 154000 population whereas they enjoy only 4%, Zeliangs have 74000 but they enjoy 4%, Pochury have 21,000 but they enjoy 2% and Sumis of Kiphire have 15,000 but they enjoy 2%. He said there is disparities, so all these things need to be looked into.