Arunachal Pradesh makes ST, PRC certificates mandatory for state government jobs

Guwahati: Amid growing protests, BJP government in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday approved a proposal for making Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Permanent Residence Certificates (PRC) mandatory for all candidates seeking jobs under the state government.

The same eligibility criteria was applicable for 80 per cent candidates so far but the local organisations including the influential All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union demanded to make it 100 per cent.

Proficiency in one indigenous language is the third eligibility criteria made mandatory for all candidates seeking to apply for the state government jobs.

This was approved in a meeting of the state Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

The “unifrom eligibility criteria” would be applicable for direct recruitment through competitive examinations to all Group A, B and C services/posts under the state government. “The decision will cover posts/services under state government departments, Public Sector Undertakings, autonomous bodies and urban local bodies, among others. The new eligibility provisions will apply with immediate effect,” said a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office.

The decision is aimed at addressing concerns among the local candidates in the tribal dominant state about possibility of “outsiders getting government jobs. This, however, is likely upset the non-tribal population in the state, who seeks to apply for state government jobs.

A candidate must be an inhabitant of Arunachal Pradesh possessing a valid Permanent Residence Certificate issued by the designated competent authority. The candidate must also be an original inhabitant of Arunachal Pradesh and possess an Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe Certificate, as per the list of tribes notified by the government of India under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, as amended from time to time.

The candidate must additionally be able to speak any of the Indigenous Tribal Languages of Arunachal Pradesh as per the notified list,” said the statement.

The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board have been mandated to incorporate these eligibility clauses and the post-joining language test mechanism in all future recruitment advertisements and rules, it added.