Shillong: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has ignited a tense standoff with the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIMS), demanding an immediate overhaul of its nursing recruitment process.
The council alleges that the institute has grossly violated scheduled tribe (ST) reservation policies, sparking concerns over fairness and transparency.
In a strongly worded letter delivered to NEIGRIMS’ leadership, the HYC has issued a seven-day ultimatum, pinpointing what they describe as a glaring underrepresentation of ST candidates. The council argues that the current vacancy list, which allocates only two out of 107 nursing positions to ST individuals, falls dramatically short of the legally mandated 7.5% reservation, translating to eight seats.
The HYC’s demands extend beyond mere numbers. They are calling for a comprehensive revision of the vacancy allocations to accurately reflect the 7.5% ST reservation, the implementation of an 80:20 female-to-male recruitment ratio, the establishment of local examination centres within Meghalaya, and the provision of standard age relaxation to compensate for recruitment delays.
The council has issued a clear warning, stating that failure to address these concerns within the stipulated seven-day period will result in public protests. “We will not be held responsible for any consequences,” the HYC letter asserts, underscoring their resolve to pursue the matter vigorously.
Adding to the controversy, the HYC has also raised concerns about the institute’s recruitment patterns, specifically criticising the recurring selection of male nurses from Rajasthan, despite reported performance issues cited by staff and patients. The council’s ultimatum has placed NEIGRIMS under significant pressure, setting the stage for potential public unrest if their demands are not met.