‘Jobless’ bonded ANMs appeal to Guv for succour

SHILLONG: Several bonded Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) in the State who have undergone training under the State quota are yet to be appointed by the State government.
Frustrated and uncertain of their future, the unemployed ANMs have now petitioned the Governor complaining that the State government has not taken any step to fill up the vacant posts for trained bonded Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) since the year 2008.
“If we are not appointed as per seniority it will surely jeopardize our further studies and promotions,” the ANMs complained.
According to the ANMs, the State government is not following the procedure of appointment as per the advertisement published by the government in 2008.
Whenever posts are available, appointments are being considered following the usual procedure only and the ANMs are being rejected on the ground that they are ‘over age’.
The ANMs said as per the advertisement published on February 2, 2008, the question of ‘over age’ should not  arise since they had been properly screened and selected as per the norms of the government before undergoing training and signing their bond.
Stating that some of their colleagues were appointed on officiating levels in vacant posts in May, 2015, they said that till date those ANMs were given regular appointment even though they jobs were to be regularized within six months from the date of appointment, as per order of the Commissioner & Secretary, Personnel & AR (B) department issued in September last year.
The ANMs also lamented that the Meghalaya government is slated to conduct exams which is not mandatory and is unfair for the bonded ANMs since it is applicable only to non bonded students.
The ANMs urged the Governor to expedite the process of regularizing their posts as early as possible.