The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on IAS induction (CANSSEA, FONSESA, NIDA, NSSA & NF&ASA) has questioned the state government spokesperson and minister KG Kenye’s statement that the government has acted within the constitutional framework over the recent IAS induction.

In a press release, the JCC asked how it was within the constitutional framework when the very entry into service of irregularly appointed officers had been in violation of constitutionally mandated process of recruitment, namely, Article-14 and 16 of the Constitution of India.

“Induction into the IAS is not akin to attaining Sainthood where your past sins are forgiven. We are still on Earth where the rule of Law prevails,” the JCC rebutted Kenye’s statement.

Calling out at the spokesperson for terming it misleading that backdoor appointees were included in the IAS list stating that regularized officers serving with integrity and seniority had earned their due consideration, JCC questioned what one would call an officer who entered service without undergoing the constitutionally mandated process of recruitment.
Citing the Supreme Court in Uma Devi-vs-State of Karnataka (2006) case, JCC asserted that regularization of irregularly appointed employees does not cure the defect of the initial appointment. “The government must not white-wash backdoor appointees and glorify them,” the committee said.

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With regard to Kenye being quoted by the media as saying that not everyone can excel in competitive exams but if officers prove their capability through service and responsibility there should be room for their advancement as well, the JCC maintained that it is an irony that the government is pleading the case of such backdoor appointee for equal opportunity when it is such an employee who has violated Article-16 of the Constitution of India.

On Supreme Court Judgement from Rajasthan that upheld the inclusion of a Non-SCS officer and the situation in Nagaland being comparable, the JCC categorically stated that the two are in “no way comparable”. I

“In Rajasthan, the case was in respect of seats for Non-SCS officers for induction into the IAS to which the Rajasthan Administrative Service objected. In Nagaland, the present case is with respect to the inclusion of irregularly appointed officer in the Panel List for IAS induction,” the JCC stated.