SHILLONG, June 25: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has urged the Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) to review its Ministerial Service Rules, 2025 and Subordinates HR Policy Service Rules, 2025, alleging that certain provisions discriminate against subordinate employees and could compromise transparency in recruitment.
In a representation submitted to the Managing Director of MTC, VPP vice president Dr K.H. Shen said the party received representations from MTC employees and concerned citizens regarding the service rules and sought their review in the interest of fairness, equality and transparency.
The VPP alleged that under the Meghalaya Transport Corporation Subordinates HR Policy Service Rules, 2025, employees in the subordinate cadre, including drivers, mechanics, conductors, peons and sweepers, may not be eligible for permanent appointment even after rendering several years of continuous service, while no similar restriction appears to exist for employees governed by the Ministerial Service Rules, 2025.
The party stated that such a distinction raises concerns over equality and fairness, as all categories of employees contribute to the functioning of the corporation.The VPP argued that denying subordinate employees a pathway to permanency could create insecurity among long-serving staff and urged the corporation to review the relevant provisions to provide reasonable opportunities for regularisation, permanency and career advancement.
The party also raised objections to a reported proposal to conduct a departmental examination for appointment or promotion to ministerial posts such as Lower Division Assistant, in which contractual employees serving under the corporation may be allowed to participate.
Acknowledging the importance of merit-based career advancement, the VPP stressed that regular ministerial vacancies should be filled through transparent, open and competitive recruitment. It argued that allowing contractual employees, who may not have entered service through open advertisement and competitive selection, to compete for regular posts through a departmental examination could undermine public confidence in the recruitment process.
Emphasising the principle of equal dignity of labour, the VPP said subordinate employees perform indispensable functions and should not be deprived of job security, recognition or opportunities for career progression.
The party urged the corporation to review provisions affecting subordinate employees, ensure long-serving workers are not denied opportunities for permanency and career advancement, maintain parity and equal treatment among all categories of employees, reconsider any proposal to fill regular ministerial vacancies through departmental examinations involving contractual appointees if it compromises open competition.
The corporation was also urged to ensure that future recruitments are conducted through transparent and merit-based procedures, and consult employees and other stakeholders before implementing service rules with far-reaching implications.
The representation expressed hope that the MTC would give due consideration to the concerns raised and take appropriate measures to uphold the principles of fairness, equality, transparency and good governance.
