SHILLONG, Aug 3: The State Youth Wing of the Voice of the People Party (VPP) has raised serious concerns over the Health Department’s termination of several contractual employees working at the Central Research Laboratory of Shillong Medical College, Pasteur Institute—reportedly without issuing any show-cause notice.
According to the youth wing, this action violated the principle of natural justice, as the employees were not given an opportunity to respond to or defend themselves against the allegations prior to dismissal.
The VPP has demanded a formal explanation from the doctor-in-charge of the laboratory regarding the matter.
Members of the VPP youth wing, accompanied by the dismissed employees, recently met with the doctor-in-charge. During the meeting, the employees strongly denied all allegations made against them, including charges of fund misappropriation, misuse of laboratory equipment, and lack of productivity.
The affected employees have also demanded that the charges be officially withdrawn, arguing that such false accusations could have serious repercussions on their future employment prospects.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, VPP State Youth Wing vice president Betlumlang Nongbet stated that the terminations were made on the grounds of alleged misuse of funds and lab equipment.
“This is completely unjustified. The management should have given them a fair chance to defend themselves before making such a drastic decision,” Nongbet said.
He further revealed that while the management claimed to possess evidence supporting the allegations—cited in the termination letters—they refused to share these documents, stating that they had already been submitted to the Director of Health Services (Medical Education & Research).
However, Nongbet noted that the management has now agreed to reconsider the decision, acknowledging the potential impact it could have on the employees’ careers.
When approached for comment, the management declined, citing a lack of authorisation to speak to the media.
