IMPHAL, February 26: The upper age limit for the Manipur Civil Services Combined Competitive Examination will soon be increased to 35 years for the general candidates soon after approval by the state cabinet, state chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh said on the third day of the 7th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly today.
Raising a discussion on a matter of public interest, opposition leader, Dr I Ibohalbi drew the attention of the House on the need to increase the upper age limit of the MCSCCE, 2014 to 35 years with consequential relaxation for other categories as well.
He observed that the state had already provided a one-time upper age limit relaxation in the last MCSCCE; however the age limit has gone to 30 years for the 2014 examination.
Considering that the UPSC has relaxed two years for the aspiring candidates, the MPSC could also follow suit and provide the year relaxation, he continued.
There has been a blanket ban on direct recruitment in all departments of the state government since November 6, 1999 following the signing of an MoU considering the financial position of the state, he said.
It was only recently, in August 2006 that three state departments – Home, Health and Education- had lifted the ban and recruited employees on contractual and regular basis, the leader of the opposition observed.
He further placed before the House that another order from the Department of Personnel, Government of Manipur had granted direct recruitment in December 31, 2006.
In his reply, the state chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh who is also the leader of the House said due to financial constraint, complete ban on recruitment had been imposed for all departments.
Now recruitment intake had been opened in some departments like Home, Education and Health, he said.
On the other hand certain departments are on the verge of collapsing as most staff are nearing retirement period, he said.
The CM said the government conduct recruitment process whenever, a department finds it necessary although after consideration by the state cabinet.
The upper age limit for MCSCCE at present is 30 years for general, 35 for ST/SC and 33 for OBC, he stated.
He further expressed that the government has decided to extend the age limit to 35 years for general, 38 for OBC and 40 for ST/SC and 45 for visual and hearing impaired individuals, while the number of attempt would be extended to six times for general, nine times for OBC.
After a cabinet screening, the gazetted notification would be soon issued, he said.