ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Sep 4: A coalition of various organizations has submitted a representation to the Superintendent of the State Branch of the Director of Postal Service, demanding the cancellation of the appointment of non-APST (Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe) candidates in the post of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS).
These organizations argue that the 2596 GDS positions and 866 branch post offices sanctioned, specifically intended for local residents of the state, are currently occupied by non-APST individuals. The entire quota for these positions is designated for residents of the state, they said.
During a press conference at the press club in Itanagar today, Raj Pao, Chairman of the Indigenous Movement against Corruption and Reformation (IMACR), claimed that the appointments of all GDS positions by the concerned department violated recruitment norms. According to the norms, priority should have been given to locals fluent in the local dialect.
Pao, pointed out that the job advertisements clearly stipulated that applicants must be locals fluent in their respective local dialects. However, all the appointments for GDS positions have gone to non-APST individuals. This suggests that the state's youth are being denied their rightful opportunities.
"Therefore, we urge the state government to intervene in this matter and find a solution. Concurrently, the postal department should halt the ongoing recruitment process and cancel previous appointments within 15 days," he said. He added that if the demand is not addressed, the organization will resort to democratic protests.
Likha Rajnik, President of the Save Arunachal Youth Association (SAYA), emphasized that the state's youth are well-versed in the local dialect, a qualification criterion for the job. Additionally, as locals, they are best suited to manage the land for the establishment of branch post offices in remote parts of the districts,he added.
Rajnik asserted that the appointment of non-APST candidates against the Arunachal Pradesh quota for the GDS position is unacceptable. Therefore, the postal department should immediately cancel the ongoing recruitment process.
"We want the department to adhere to the prescribed recruitment rules for the position. Until these rules are followed, we will continue to fight for justice," he stated.
He also pointed out that non-APST individuals do not have land rights in the state, which could lead to issues in setting up postal branch offices in the future.
"In the meantime, I would also appeal to the Gaon Burahs (village chiefs) and Panchayat Leaders of the state to refrain from issuing any No Objection Certificates (NOC) to the GDS or the Postal Department for the establishment of any postal branches in the state," he added.
In addition to IMACR and SAYA, eight other organizations in the state are raising concerns over this issue.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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