Shillong, April 11: Director of the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) on Friday reaffirmed the institute’s adherence to recruitment guidelines stipulated by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and clarified specific points regarding the ongoing recruitment process.

He was responding to concerns raised by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), which had recently staged a protest at the institute.

Dr Mehta said that the advertised vacancies are not for fresh recruitment but for ‘Backlog Vacancies’ that arose from non-acceptance, non-joining, resignations, or non-availability of suitable candidates in various categories from previous recruitment cycles.

“All recruitments at NEIGRIHMS are conducted scrupulously, and the present one is being done strictly according to the ‘Model Roster and Regional Roster’ mandated by DoPT guidelines, ensuring compliance with reservation policies for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBDs,” he said.

Responding specifically to the concerns about local tribal representation, the Director said, “It was stated that the advertisements for recruitment at NEIGRIHMS are published widely, in local newspapers as well as in the Employment News as per established procedures, and also uploaded on the Institute website to maximize local participation. Also, reservation for OBC and EWS is strictly in accordance with Central Government guidelines and judicial precedents.”

Regarding concerns about the gender ratio in Nursing Officer recruitment, the Director explained that there is no provision currently in the existing Recruitment Rules for 80:20 Female to Male ratio.

“NEIGRIHMS had requested the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India for such a provision in July 2024, but the Ministry, in August 2024 had advised against adopting such a ratio. A request with very strong justification for the same has been sent to the Ministry a couple of days ago,” he said.

Coming to the issue of examination centres for the computer-based tests (CBT) that will be conducted by HLL Life Care Limited, a central PSU, Dr Mehta informed that measures have been instituted to accommodate as many eligible local applicants from Meghalaya in examination centres in the state itself. Candidates in excess of the capacity in the state of Meghalaya, however, would have to take the test in the next nearby centres, for e.g., in Guwahati, Assam.

“Additionally, the examination this time around shall be conducted by NEIGRIHMS through the above-mentioned agency and not through NORCET as was the case in the previous recruitment cycle,” he added.

Addressing another issue that was raised, Dr Mehta emphasized that robust mechanisms were in place at NEIGRIHMS to ensure patient safety, maintaining security within hospital premises, and providing a safe environment, particularly for female staff and patients.

The Director concluded his statement by assuring that NEIGRIHMS remains committed to transparent, fair, and inclusive recruitment processes while strictly adhering to central government rules and regulations.

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