NEIGRIHMS stands firm on recruitment process
Shillong, Apr 11: The North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NRIGRIHMS), which has been under fire from pressure groups for allegedly violating recruitment rules, has stood firm on its ground and asserted that it has strictly adhered to the present recruitment guidelines. However, the NEIGRIHMS has also admitted that it has been pursuing one of the demands pertaining to female-male ratio of nurses with the Centre.
Responding to concerns raised by Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), which recently staged protest at the institute, NEIGRIHMS director Dr Nalin Mehta on Friday reaffirmed the Institute’s adherence to recruitment guidelines stipulated by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
Dr Mehta said the advertised vacancies are not for fresh recruitment but for ‘backlog vacancies’ that arose from non-acceptance, non-joining, resignations, or non-availability of suitable candidates in various categories from previous recruitment cycles.
“All recruitments at NEIGRIHMS are conducted scrupulously, and the present one is being done strictly according to the ‘Model Roster and Regional Roster’ mandated by DoPT guidelines, ensuring compliance with reservation policies for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBDs,” he said.
On the concerns about lack of local tribal representation, the NEIGRIHMS director said, “Reservation for OBC and EWS is strictly in accordance with Central Government guidelines and judicial precedents.”
He also mentioned that the advertisements for recruitment at NEIGRIHMS are published widely in popular local and national newspapers and uploaded on the Institute website as well, to encourage local participation.
Meanwhile, responding to the demand for increased female-male ration in recruitment of nurses, the Dr Mehta explained that currently there is no provision for 80:20 female-male ratio of ‘nursing officers’.
“NEIGRIHMS had requested the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for such a provision in July 2024, but the Ministry, in August 2024 had advised against adopting such a ratio. A request with very strong justification for the same has been sent to the Ministry a couple of days ago,” he said.
On the issue of examination centres for computer-based tests (CBT) to be conducted by HLL Life Care Limited, a central PSU, Dr Mehta informed that measures have been instituted to accommodate as many eligible local applicants from Meghalaya in examination centres in Meghalaya.
Candidates in excess of the capacity in the state of Meghalaya, however, would have to take the test in the next nearby centres, for e.g., in Guwahati, Assam, he said.
“Additionally, the examination this time around shall be conducted by NEIGRIHMS through the above mentioned agency and not through NORCET as was the case in the previous recruitment cycle,” he informed.
On another demand regarding security, Dr Mehta emphasized that robust mechanisms are in place at NEIGRIHMS to ensure patient safety, maintaining security within hospital premises, and providing a safe environment, particularly for female staff and patients.
The NEIGRIHMS director assured that the instate remains committed to transparent, fair, and inclusive recruitment processes while strictly adhering to central government rules and regulations.
