IT News
Imphal, Sept 7:
Amid ongoing crisis in Manipur, a controversial appointment by the state government has raised serious concerns over transparency and adherence to recruitment procedures. Reports suggest that an Information Assistant was appointed on a daily wage basis to the Manipur Information Center (MIC) in New Delhi without a formal recruitment test or public advertisement, leading to public distrust in the government.
According to sources, the individual hired for the position did not go through the usual recruitment process required for government jobs. This includes competitive exams, public notifications, and interviews—procedures meant to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all qualified candidates. The absence of these processes has raised concerns about favoritism and potential violations of public sector hiring regulations.
The appointment of an Information Assistant to such a crucial role without following due process is particularly troubling. MIC, New Delhi, is a key office that manages the state’s communication and public relations at the national level. Even if the position is temporary or on a daily wage basis, it should have been filled through a transparent and rigorous selection process to ensure the individual is qualified for the responsibilities involved.
The situation has placed the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) under scrutiny. As the agency responsible for overseeing public relations and managing information dissemination, DIPR should be central to appointments like this. However, there are growing concerns that the Chief Minister’s office is bypassing the department, appointing individuals to government communication roles without proper vetting by DIPR. This raises questions about the department’s diminished role under current leadership.
This is not an isolated incident. Sources reveal that, unlike neighboring states like Assam and Mizoram, where government communication is handled by public relations departments, Manipur’s Chief Minister’s office has been using private individuals to promote government achievements.
These individuals, many not employed through DIPR, are reportedly being paid large sums from the DIPR budget, raising concerns about the allocation and use of public funds.
The appointment of an Information Assistant without public advertisement or a recruitment test likely breaches government hiring regulations. Such opacity undermines public trust in the government’s hiring practices and sets a concerning precedent for future appointments. If positions can be filled without following proper procedures, it threatens the principles of fairness and equal opportunity that should guide public sector employment.
This case also raises broader concerns about the management of government resources. By allegedly sidelining DIPR in favor of private individuals for government communication, the administration may be neglecting its own public relations department. If funds allocated to DIPR are being used to pay private individuals, it raises serious ethical and legal questions about the department’s role and the overall transparency of the government’s actions.
The Manipur government’s actions in this case suggest a troubling pattern of opacity in both recruitment and resource management. Appointments made without adhering to formal procedures not only erode public trust but also weaken the credibility of government institutions. The DIPR, as the body responsible for managing the state’s information, should be empowered to oversee such appointments to ensure transparency and adherence to established guidelines.
Without swift action to address these concerns, the credibility of Manipur’s public sector may continue to erode. Transparency, accountability, and adherence to recruitment rules are essential to maintaining public trust and ensuring that government positions are filled by qualified individuals through fair processes.
