From Our Correspondent
TURA, Aug 28: BJP vice president and GHADC MDC from Tura, Bernard N Marak has dispatched a letter to Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh L Mandaviya highlighting what he called “injustice”, meted out to Garo nurses in connection with the mid level health providers’ (MLHP) recruitment in the state.
“An injustice has been meted out on Garo nurses in the recruitment MLHP by NHM Meghalaya, where eligible Garo nurses were deprived of their rightful place by the policies and non-transparent method adopted by the authorities. It has caused immense pain to the people of Garo Hills as the denial of privileges is betrayal of one section of the community. Barring access to the eligible Garo nurses from being recruited into MLHP has mounted into a major sentimental issue,” Bernard said, in a statement on Monday.
What was interesting for the Tura MDC was that, for posts in Garo Hills, no Garos were appointed but the appointments were made specifically from two institutes — Woodland Nursing Institution and NEIGRIHMS.
“No due consideration was given to other potential candidates, which included graduates from government quotas. The number of posts also is said to have increased after the results were declared, raising doubts over the transparency of the recruitment process,” he added, while seeking a proper inquiry to bring out the facts and bring justice to the deprived nurses.
“Fresh recruitment for Garo Hills should be conducted and those selected, instead of cancelling should be posted in their respected areas / districts where they will be able to communicate at their own language. As in order to work in a remote village in Garo Hills, one needs to know the language for easy communication and to work at ease,” he further demanded.
Bernard also said that the clarification given by the state authorities that Garos are not qualified enough for the posts was an understatement and cannot be justified as there were many qualified candidates among the Garos for MLHP within the existing standards of BSc nursing as well as GNM graduates as the curriculum and requirements for BSc nursing courses remain consistent.
“Lastly, I would like to press upon you a prayer to direct NHM Meghalaya to conduct fresh recruitment for Garo Hills region keeping those selected for their respective districts. To cancel would be injustice to the innocent candidates, but fresh recruitment would be a better option for the Garo candidates. Therefore, I humbly pray that these prayers are acknowledged and considered in the interest of the three communities of the Meghalaya. I humbly look forward to your respond and anticipate immediate steps,” he added.