Arunachal assembly passes SSB bill

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: The Arunachal Pradesh legislative assembly passed the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (SSB) Bill, 2018, by voice vote on Thursday.
The bill was introduced by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein in the assembly on Tuesday to conduct examinations and select candidates for appointment to the subordinate services/Group C posts in the government departments, organisations and autonomous bodies established and constituted by the government.
Participating in the discussion, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said, “We have to catch up the thought of the common people and march forward accordingly at par with other states of the country.”
The important bill was brought to the house for the bright future of Arunachal Pradesh, he added.
Stating that there would be no political interference and involvement of officers in the recruitment process for Group C employees after the creation of the board, the chief minister said there would be “district-wise quota for candidates, and zone-wise examinations would be conducted under the board.”
Informing that there would only be written examination and no interview system under the board, the CM further informed that Group C employees under the police and forest departments would also be recruited through the board.
The police and forest departments would only look into the physical fitness of the candidates aspiring to Group C posts in both the departments.
The CM assured the house that rules and guidelines would also be formulated, if necessary, to strengthen the board and maintain utmost transparency in the recruitment process.
Earlier, taking part in the discussion, former chief minister Nabam Tuki, stating that Arunachal Pradesh is a multi-tribe state, suggested to the government to take steps for district-wise or zone-wise recruitment under the board, so that youths of different communities from backward and remote districts could appear in the board examination without much difficulty.
Tuki also suggested to the government to look into the various sections of the bill seriously to ensure an efficient and independent board.
While supporting the bill, Wanglin Lowangdong said Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts consist of 25 percent of the total population of the state but only 0.175 or 2 percent youths are representing their districts in government jobs. He urged the government to give youths from all the communities of the state equal opportunities in government jobs.
Informing that the bill seeks to rid Arunachal of corruption, Gabriel D Wangsu said the bill would help in tapping the best talents and improving the work culture of the government staffers. He, however, urged the government to do justice to the youths of unrepresented communities in providing government jobs while creating the board.
PD Sona, Lombo Tayeng, Laisam Simai, Tesam Pongte, Kardo Nyigyor, Tanga Byaling, Thangwan Wangham, Techi Kaso, Pani Taram and Mutchu Mithi also participated in the discussion.
The assembly also adopted the 2nd report of the Rules Committee on Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, before the deputy speaker adjourned the House sine die.