Itanagar, Mar 12: Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, said on Thursday that the state government is waiting for recommendations from the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) before initiating recruitment to fill vacant posts across districts.

Responding to a question raised by Thangwang Wangham, an MLA of the National People’s Party (NPP), during Question Hour in the Assembly, Khandu stated that the ARC, headed by a retired IAS officer, has been tasked with reviewing administrative structures, procedures and policies to improve efficiency, transparency, accountability and citizen-oriented governance.

“We are waiting for the commission’s recommendations to proceed with recruitment,” Khandu said.

Referring to the situation in Longding district, the Chief Minister said that out of 94 sanctioned posts, four remain vacant. Requisitions for these posts have already been sent to the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB).

Khandu also addressed the issue of district quota recruitment for Group C and Group D posts, stating that the matter is currently pending before the Gauhati High Court at its Itanagar Bench of Gauhati High Court. The petition challenges the validity of the district quota system under the equal opportunity provisions of Article 16 of the Constitution. Recruitment processes conducted by the APSSB under this quota have been put on hold until the court delivers its decision.

The Chief Minister said he has consulted the Advocate General to seek an early resolution of the case and has instructed deputy commissioners to submit reports on vacant posts in their respective districts.

“We will take further steps after receiving the ARC recommendations and the reports from districts,” he said.

Wangham also raised concerns about administrative requirements in Longding since it was carved out of Tirap district. Khandu, however, said there are currently no immediate plans to create new posts until the ARC completes its review.