The Government of Nagaland has taken a major step to improve the government offices and the departments manage their staff by setting up a special Working Group on Comprehensive Manpower Rationalisation. The team is to focus on comprehensive manpower rationalisation under the State Level Committee on Expenditure Rationalisation and Revenue Mobilization (SLC-ERRM). The official notification was issued by the Finance Commissioner, Kesonyu Yhome, IAS, following a Cabinet decision made earlier on 6th June 2026.

            The newly formed team is to be led by Akunu Meyase, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, serving as the Chairperson. Abeinuo Jasmine Ashao, Under the Secretary Finance Department, is appointed as the Member Secretary. Other members on the committee are Vechotsiyi Neinu and Thejangulie from the Finance Department, Celine Asino Kulnu from the Law & Justice Department and Phajathung Ovung, JSO, P&AR Department.

            The task of the working group is to take a close look at how every government department is staffed. They are specifically tasked with checking the exact numbers of sanctioned posts, the people currently working, and vacant positions across all departments. They are also in charge of finding out if there are any extra, overlapping, or unnecessary posts and suggest ways to balance them out properly. Furthermore, the group will study the office structures to set the best rules for creating new jobs, upgrading posts and filling up vacancies. They will look at how new technologies and computerization affect staff needs, and suggest ways existing employees can handle multiple tasks or improve their skills.

            The committee has been given a strict timeline of three months from the date of the notification to finish their study and submit their final report to the Finance Department.

            While the study is in process, the government has given temporary measures in place to keep spending in check. Government departments cannot create any new posts unless the Cabinet gives any special, direct approval for exceptional situations. Any proposal to fill up empty jobs must first go through the Manpower Rationalisation Committee and the SLC-ERRM before it reaches the Cabinet for a final decision. Departments are also not allowed to try and expand their staff numbers without getting clear permission from the Finance Department first.

            All government departments, boards, corporations, and state-run companies have been asked to give their full support and share all their requested staff details with the Working Group so the process can run smoothly.

           
(Takumpula Longkumer, IA)