Shillong, Oct 31: Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has assured the Khasi Students Union (KSU) that a committee will be set up to examine policy matters at NEIGRIHMS.
A KSU delegation led by President Raymond Kharjana and General Secretary Reuben Najiar met Nadda in New Delhi on Saturday and submitted a representation detailing the demands. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma was also present during the meeting.
“The Union Minister has assured us that a committee will be formed to look into the policy and legal aspects, including reservation, and he has promised to resolve the issue within a month,” Najiar said.
In the eight-point representation to Nadda, the KSU sought corrective measures for what it termed as policies detrimental to the indigenous population.
The union said it has been raising issues with NEIGRIHMS administration for years through representations and agitations but alleged the attitude of the authorities has affected the functioning of the institute and job opportunities for tribal population.
On nursing recruitment, KSU said the institute has not followed the 80:20 female to male ratio adopted in AIIMS and other institutes. It claimed that in NORCET 2023, 175 male nurses and only 19 female nurses were selected, and demanded restoration of 80 per cent female quota for patient safety in departments like obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatrics.
The union also objected to the mandatory two-year experience from a 50-bedded hospital for Nursing Officers, saying it makes nurses working in PHCs and CHCs in Meghalaya ineligible.
The KSU alleged that administration is shielding male Nursing Officers facing molestation charges involving an indigenous woman and a minor girl, saying FIRs have been lodged and charge-sheeted but the accused continue in service. It alleged the minor was left alone with a male nurse after operation due to shortage of female staff.
Other issues raised include reduction of age limit to 30 years for Nursing Officers and 27 years for Pharmacists, outsourcing of recruitment to HLL Lifecare Limited through computer-based NORCET tests, excess vacancies shown for EWS due to roster error, and 27 per cent OBC and 15 per cent SC reservation despite Meghalaya having no OBC list and about 1 per cent SC population.
The KSU cited Supreme Court judgments to argue migrants cannot claim reservation benefits in the state.
It also urged grant of Institute of National Importance status to NEIGRIHMS through an Act of Parliament.
