The Nagaland Medical Students’ Association (NMSA) on Saturday staged a protest outside the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Kohima, demanding the revocation of the government’s recent notification regularizing 280 contractual health workers appointed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Parents also joined the students in voicing concern that the order violates existing recruitment rules, bypasses the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC), and could set a “dangerous precedent” for future medical appointments in the state.
The government, through a notification dated August 18 (No. HFW(A)10/34/2024/145), confirmed the services of 98 doctors and 182 nurses and allied staff through a departmental screening committee, instead of open competitive examinations.
“This is not about salaries or the temporary nature of their service, it is about fairness and due process,” NMSA president Dr Pito S Rochill said during the protest. He pointed out that the Nagaland Health Service Rules, 2006 mandate direct recruitment of doctors through NPSC, terming the order “a clear violation of service rules.”
General secretary Bonoto P Zimo added, “We are not against those who served during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But if regularization must happen, it should be done through fair and open procedures.”
The NMSA said bypassing written exams for Class-I posts undermines the recruitment system and erodes trust among aspiring candidates. “Why are recruitment rules in place if they are not to be followed?” Rochill asked, calling the decision “illegal and arbitrary.”
While acknowledging the contributions of Covid-era appointees, the students clarified that their protest was directed at the system, not individuals. “The government should not be allowed to make exceptions, particularly for such critical positions as medical officers,” one member said.
The regularisation process reportedly began on August 27 at the directorate, with further proceedings expected. The Department of Health and Family Welfare has yet to issue an official statement.
It may be noted that the Gauhati High Court had earlier dismissed a challenge to the Special Recruitment Drive (SRD) policy on grounds of locus standi (the petitioners’ lack of legal standing to question the policy).