Shillong, Oct 3: The state government is silent following the many allegations regarding the recruitment of nurses in the state.
Sources said on Thursday that the Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh wanted the recruitment board to clarify on the matter as it is an independent body.
The functionaries of the recruitment board under the health and family welfare department have neither released any clarification nor called a press conference on the matter
When contacted, a health official said, “Up till now I have not received any information about the inquiry.. Grievance redressal cell has been constituted”.
A press conference is scheduled at 6 pm on Thursday at DHS (MI) Laitimkhrah.
The state BJP has sought the intervention of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to resolve the anomalies in the recruitment of nurses.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the state general secretary of BJP Meghalaya, Wankitbok Pohshna said Meghalaya Public Service Commission or Meghalaya Medical Services Recruitment Board (MMSRB), should prove that all examinations are free from malpractices.
Earlier, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) and the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) had sought clarity on the matter
Both the KSU and the JSU wanted cancellation of the results of the written examination of staff Nurse and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) while the HYC reiterated the need for a judicial probe.
The examination was conducted by the Meghalaya Medical Services Recruitment Board.
The issue surfaced after a few state nurses expressed doubts about transparency in the recruitment process.
The BJP pointed out various anomalies in the result and said they point to a deeper malaise.”The inconsistencies that have emerged reflect the callous attitude with which the state handles such examinations and reeks of utter incompetency which jeopardizes the future of many young lives, which can prove disastrous for the state in the long run. Thousands of youth who line up for government jobs expect transparency and honesty by the recruiting agencies and the authorities conducting the exams, such as the MPSC or MMSRB, should prove that all examinations are free from malpractices. Even a hint towards the contrary will completely vaporize whatever trust the common man has in the current ruling disposition; the consequences of which need not be elaborated. It has been noted with concern that every time such results are declared by the govt authorities there is resentment amongst all quarters about the manner these examinations are conducted and how the results are tabulated; creating doubts in the minds of the job seekers. This does not augur well for the future and repeated queries raised by the citizens have brought no change in the standard operating procedure, which only points towards deep seated adamant attitude amongst the govt establishments which prevents any kind of course correction aimed at instilling faith amongst the citizens in the recruitment process”, Pohshna said.
The future of the state stands compromised if the deserving are deprived by consistent glaring errors that are in full public view.
“The state unit of the BJP urges upon the CM of Meghalaya to intervene and ensure that the recruitment processes in the state is conducted by fair means and procedures are evolved wherein examinations are not rigged and results are not altered to benefit a few. Recently the nation watched with horror the recruitment scam in West Bengal which has destroyed the lives of millions of people. Should we not stop Meghalaya from hurtling down that same devastating path? ‘, said Pohshna.
