SHILLONG: The State Government Nursing Service Association (MGNSA) has postponed its proposed indefinite strike scheduled from Saturday after a meeting with the health department officials on Friday.
An emergency meeting with the nurses was called by the Principal Secretary Y. Tsering, on Friday at the State Secretariat.
After the meeting, the nurses submitted a resolution to Tsering stating that the Selection Committee of August 2013 for the selection of bonded General Nursing Midwifery (GNM) which comprised of the Principal, Vice- Principal, Matron and Assistant matron as the members of the Committee should be made valid for the appointment of Auxiliary Nursing Midwifery (ANM) and Staff nurse till the nursing service rule is amended.
According to the nurses body, the agitation was postponed after the Government assured to fulfill the demands within two-week time (with effect from August 22).
“If the Government fails to do so within the stipulated timeframe we will resort to agitation”, the nurses added.
While extending solidarity and support to the aggrieved members of MGNS, the Meghalaya Joint Council of Trade Unions & Associations (MJCTU&A) urged the Government to settle the demands of MGNSA so that indefinite strike call can be avoided.
Earlier in the day, the Secretary, Health and Family Welfare M R Synrem in a letter addressed to the functionaries of MGNSA said that the Government had received the proposal for filling up of various posts and the process of filling up of seventeen number of posts in the higher grade will be done after obtaining the date and time from Chief Secretary who is the Chairman, Departmental promotion committee (DPC).
Regarding filling up of eighty middle level posts, the DPC will be convened within two weeks time, Synrem said, adding that on the recruitment of three hundred and forty two GNM and ANM posts, the decisions will be taken within one week.
On the demand of the nursing cell, the health department said that the cell is functioning under Directorate of Health Services (MI) which is headed by the Deputy Director (Nursing) of the Nursing Cadre and any suggestions for strengthening the existing cell will be examined by the Government.
“The Government will also examine in the Indian Nursing Council (INC) norms in consonance with existing state government approved norms”, Synrem said.
According to the Government, any direct recruitment in the department has to be as per the Service rule and the department is having its own Service Rules to regulate such appointment.
The existing Departmental Committee was notified considering the Administrative exigency. However, the Government can examine further expanding the composition of Departmental Committee, Synrem said .
The filling up ANM and GNM posts is under process and action will be taken by the Departmental Committee soon, Synrem added.
Regarding the pending result of personal interview appeared by the non-bonded GNM nurses, Synrem said the Government has constituted an Inquiry Committee and they have submitted findings and recommendations. The decision will be taken shortly.
The Government has also constituted a Committee to go into the seniority list an the committee will also look into the amendment of the service rules, Synrem said.