SHILLONG: The state government has taken up the issue of controversial recruitment system by the Meghalaya Rural Bank with the Centre.
In reply to a zero hour notice moved by Adelbert Nongrum of KHNAM, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said in the Assembly on Friday that the government moved the Finance Ministry to ensure that the rules and conditions for recruitment to various posts in Meghalaya Rural Bank can be amended to see that only candidates who are already proficient in the local languages be preferred for appointment. Earlier, Nongrum pointed out that Meghalaya Rural Bank had preferred two ST, four SC, eight OBC and 18 general candidates for various posts and most of the new recruits were from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
He also said the recruits have no knowledge of local languages. The chief minister, in his reply, said as informed by the bank, the final appointment letters have not been issued to any selected candidates.
As per the bank rules, proficiency in local language is required for recruitment of officer scale 1 and office assistant (multi-purpose), the chief minister said. The rule says candidates who have already studied the language of the state in standard VIII or any level above standard VIII from government recognised boards or having any certificate to the effect for standard VIII or any level above standard VIII would be considered.
Another portion of the rule states that if the candidate does not meet the requirement in local language at the time of selection, he would be given a time of six months from the date of joining to acquire proficiency and the period can be extended by the boards of the banks within the framework of the rules provided that such extension should not go beyond the probation period.
