Nagaland MP urges Rio to recognise tribal dialects as ‘third language'
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Dimapur: Lok Sabha MP from Nagaland S Supongmeren Jamir on Sunday urged CM Neiphiu Rio to recognise the tribal languages spoken in the state as the 'third language', as it will help in creation of employment opportunities for the youth.
In a letter to Rio, Jamir drew his attention to the issue of engagement of non-local Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) in post offices of the northeast, including Nagaland, stating that recruitment for Grade IV staff in the postal department was online-based and required Class X pass certificate and marksheet.
Based on the local language/dialect prescribed for Nagaland by the postal department, vide their notification No.17-02/2025-GDS (Annexure I), the candidates are shortlisted on the basis of their marks obtained in English/Hindi in Class X, Jamir said, adding that it undermined the third dialect/language candidates would have otherwise studied or are fluent in.
This impacts the performance of the local candidates when they compete nationwide, he added.
Jamir said in the past two years, there have been three rounds of recruitment for 364 posts, including a special drive in Jan 2023 where 143 posts had been advertised for Nagaland. He said the DG of GDS had written to the chief postmasters general, northeast circle, stating that English, as an official language, was recognised in Nagaland and agreed in principle that the northeast circle post office will engage with the state govt to officially identify the local dialects/languages that can be considered as a medium of evaluation during recruitment.
Accordingly, this had been communicated by the director of postal services, Nagaland, to the home commissioner on April 16, 2025. However, the state govt is yet to officially recognise the dialects/languages of the recognised tribes in the state for the purpose of a 'third language/dialect', he said.
In this regard, the state home department had written to the commissioner & secretary, art & culture, to submit their views and comments, Jamir added.
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