The Director of NEIGRIHMS has described actions carried out by a pressure group on Friday as “unwarranted” in a hospital while adding that they created fear among staff and patients.
Members of the Hynniewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) descended on the central teaching hospital on Friday and forced the closure of the Director’s office after its various demands regarding recruitment were not met by its imposed deadline.
Yesterday, NEIGRIHMS Director Dr Nalin Mehta expressed disappointment in the HYC’s actions but said that he remains committed to improving healthcare services and creating opportunities for locals, though he cannot bypass central government rules.
The protesters forcibly shut down his office and forced staff, mostly local women, out of the building during lunchtime. “Such actions create fear and are unwarranted in a hospital setting,” he said.
Responding to accusations of delayed replies to memorandums, Dr Mehta said responses were being carefully prepared. “One day’s delay (the HYC deadline had expired on Thursday) does not justify such action.”
On the issue of reservation for members of Scheduled Tribes, he clarified the current recruitment involves a backlog of vacancies under an approved reservation roster. This meant that instead of a 7.5 percent reservation for STs, only two slots were allotted to them. He added that if there were any violations, legal avenues should be pursued. “Don’t take the law into your own hands,” Dr Mehta said.
He also reiterated his support for the 80:20 female-to-male nursing recruitment ratio (which is one of the HYC demands) but said the central government had rejected the proposal, which he cannot override, and that no other government institution follows this ratio. He also clarified that NEIGRIHMS does not conduct entrance exams or control exam centres due to a lack of capacity and funding.
Similarly, Dr Mehta stated that the demand for preference for local candidates was not viable as NEIGRIHMS follows central, not state, rules. “We are a central institution. Recruitment follows an all-India merit list. I cannot prioritise any particular group,” he maintained.
Instead of pushing for extra reservations, the Director proposed a long-term solution, namely to empower local candidates “through better training and education. Success should come from merit.”
