PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Members of the Nursing Ekta Manch (NEM) Uttarakhand met leader of opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday. In the meeting, the representatives of the NEM raised concerns over alleged irregularities in nursing officer recruitment, frequent changes in rules and what they termed a breach of promise to candidates in the State.
The delegation apprised Gandhi of the difficulties faced by thousands of unemployed nursing graduates in Uttarakhand. They said repeated changes in the recruitment process by the State government have hurt aspirants who have been waiting for government jobs for years.
The Manch members informed Gandhi that their protest at Ekta Vihar in Dehradun entered its 252nd day on Friday. According to them, the government had earlier assured candidates that “we will definitely do something for you,” which kept them hopeful. However, the administration later went ahead with an examination for nursing officer posts, leading to disappointment among those who had been waiting for recruitment for a long time.
The forum members further stated that when they completed their nursing education, recruitment was done on a year-wise and seniority basis. Relying on that system, candidates waited for their turn for years. But now that their turn has come, the process has been switched to an exam-based system, creating fresh uncertainty for them.
The delegation also flagged the Central government’s 80:20 provision for women and men in nursing officer recruitment. The Manch demanded an end to gender-based quotas in recruitment and urged that both male and female candidates be given equal and fair opportunities. They said selection should be based on qualification, merit and the prescribed process, not on gender alone.
The Manch urged Gandhi to intervene on issues including the alleged breach of promise, irregularities in recruitment in Uttarakhand, frequent rule changes and the 80:20 gender provision.
They expressed hope that Gandhi would raise the issue of nursing candidates at the appropriate national forum. NEM president Naval Pundir and other members concerned were present.
