The Tribal Youth Federation (TYF) has intensified pressure on the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) over the prolonged delay in recruiting 110 Deputy Project Officers and Sub-Zonal Development Officers, alleging that nearly two years after the recruitment process began, qualified candidates are still awaiting appointments.
Agartala: The demand was raised during a three-hour mass sit-in demonstration organised by the TYF Central Committee near Circuit House in Agartala on Friday. Our Enewstime correspondent reported from the protest site that although the protest highlighted a seven-point charter of demands, the organisation placed particular emphasis on the pending recruitment process, calling it a major concern for unemployed tribal youth.
Recruitment Delay Takes Centre Stage
Addressing the gathering, TYF General Secretary Kumud Debbarma said the recruitment process has remained incomplete despite repeated assurances from the authorities.
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According to him, the TTAADC issued a recruitment notification in February 2024 for the posts of Deputy Project Officer and Sub-Zonal Development Officer. The recruitment examination was conducted, but the first phase had to be cancelled after the question paper was allegedly leaked.
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Although the authorities later held a fresh examination, Debbarma claimed that the recruitment process has yet to be completed.
“Nearly two years have passed since the recruitment process started. Deserving candidates are still waiting for appointments. We demand that the authorities complete the recruitment process without any further delay,” he said.
Debbarma also referred to earlier public assurances by Tipra Motha Party founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, who had stated that the recruitment would be carried out transparently. He said job aspirants now expect those commitments to result in appointments at the earliest.
TYF Links Recruitment Delay to Wider Employment Crisis
The federation argued that delays in public recruitment have affected both unemployed youths and administrative efficiency.
Debbarma claimed that 51,784 government posts remain vacant across various state government departments and urged the Tripura government to expedite recruitment across all sectors.
According to TYF, filling long-pending vacancies would not only create employment opportunities for educated youths but also strengthen public service delivery.
Allegations of Irregular Recruitment in TTAADC
The organisation also alleged irregularities in recent appointments made under the TTAADC.
Debbarma claimed that around 120 Lower Division Clerk (LDC) posts, along with several other vacancies, had been filled without issuing public advertisements or conducting interviews. He alleged that the appointments did not follow established recruitment procedures and demanded that the authorities review the selection process.
TYF called for the cancellation of any appointments made in violation of recruitment norms and sought fresh recruitment through a transparent, merit-based process.
Kokborok Recognition Among Key Demands
Besides employment, the federation reiterated its long-standing demand for the inclusion of Kokborok in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Debbarma said Kokborok has already received official recognition in Tripura and is taught in several colleges and universities. However, he argued that constitutional recognition remains overdue and urged the Central Government to take immediate steps to include the language in the Eighth Schedule.
The organisation also demanded the introduction of Kokborok as a subject in institutions where it is still unavailable and called for the creation of additional teaching posts.
Referring to the ongoing recruitment of Assistant Professors through the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC), Debbarma alleged that Kokborok had been excluded from the recruitment process despite more than 10,000 students pursuing the subject with only 18 Assistant Professors currently serving.
Demand for More Rural Employment
The federation also highlighted the shortage of employment opportunities in rural and tribal areas, particularly within the TTAADC region.
TYF demanded that eligible workers receive at least 20 days of employment under government job schemes and urged the authorities to address what it described as an acute shortage of work in ADC areas.
Call for Immediate Government Action
Concluding the demonstration, Debbarma said the federation’s seven-point charter was aimed at ensuring transparent recruitment, creating employment opportunities, strengthening public institutions and protecting the rights of indigenous communities.
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He urged both the Tripura government and the TTAADC administration to act promptly on the pending recruitment of the 110 Deputy Project Officer and Sub-Zonal Development Officer posts, saying that completing the recruitment process would restore confidence among job aspirants and reinforce the administration’s commitment to transparent and accountable governance.
