The Nagaland Medical Students Association (NMSA) has expressed dismay and strong objection to the recent notification issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare on August 20, 2024. This notification mandates a departmental examination on August 26 for written tests, followed by viva voce on August 27 and 28, for the regularization of doctors who were appointed on a contractual basis during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a press statement, the NMSA has stated, “NMSA advocates for equal opportunities and examination of all eligible candidates; opposes bypassing of NPSC for Class 1 Gazetted Medical Officer recruitment.” The association believes that this decision not only contravenes established service rules but also undermines the integrity of the recruitment process for Class 1 Gazetted Officers. These positions, which are equivalent to Extra Assistant Commissioners (EAC) and Sub-Divisional Officers (SDO), should rightly fall under the jurisdiction of the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) Combined Technical Services Examination (CTSE), according to NMSA.
The NMSA has further argued that the proposed departmental examination disregards the principles of meritocracy and equal opportunity, which are fundamental to fair public service recruitment. Despite multiple appeals from the NMSA for a transparent and competitive NPSC CTSE written and viva voce examination, these requests have been met with indifference. The current notification, according to the NMSA, disregards the efforts and aspirations of countless medical graduates who have diligently prepared for competitive exams.
The association finds it deeply concerning that this move threatens to deprive these graduates of their rightful opportunity to compete on a level playing field.
Highlighting the inequity of the decision, the NMSA pointed out that many Naga medical graduates served in challenging conditions across the country during the pandemic without seeking or receiving special considerations. It is, therefore, seen as unjust to conduct a special departmental recruitment process that benefits a select few at the expense of the broader medical fraternity.
The NMSA also noted that other states, which were also severely impacted by the pandemic, have not resorted to such irregular practices for appointment regularization. Instead, they have maintained the integrity of their recruitment processes through standard CTSE exams, NMSA stated. The Nagaland government’s decision to restrict examination opportunities to only the 98 contractual doctors appointed during the pandemic is viewed by the NMSA as an alarming departure from established norms, posing a significant threat to the careers of countless deserving medical professionals.
The NMSA also pointed out that between 2010 and 2021, the NPSC conducted examinations for only 87 Medical Officer posts that were subsequently regularized. The decision to now regularize 98 posts through a departmental examination is a deeply concerning departure from this established process, it said. This is particularly alarming given the substantial increase in the number of medical graduates in Nagaland, especially following the establishment of the state’s medical college, which now accommodates 155 government-sponsored MBBS students and 12 BDS students annually, NMSA said.
In light of these developments, the NMSA has strongly urged the government to reconsider its decision and uphold the principles of fairness and meritocracy. They also requested the government to maintain the status quo and withhold the scheduled departmental examination on August 26, 2024, which is set to be conducted for only 98 COVID-19 contractual doctors. Instead, the NMSA has called for all sanctioned Medical Officer posts currently occupied by COVID-19 contractual doctors to be advertised and filled through the NPSC Combined Technical Services Examination (CTSE), ensuring an equal opportunity for all eligible candidates.
The NMSA has also appealed to the broader public, student bodies, civil society organizations, and community leaders to stand with them in rejecting this unjust decision. The NMSA maintained that the recruitment and regularization of Class 1 Gazetted Medical Officers, unless conducted through the NPSC, not only risks denying numerous other deserving medical graduates their rightful opportunities but also poses a significant risk to the quality of healthcare services and professionals.
“It is only through an equal, free, fair, competitive, and transparent process that we can ensure the selection of the most qualified candidates to serve our community and deliver the high-quality healthcare that the people of Nagaland rightfully deserve,” the NMSA stated.
A written representation outlining these grievances has been forwarded to all the appropriate authorities for their consideration.
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