Shillong, October 22: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has renewed its demands for reforms in recruitment and reservation practices at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), urging the institute to address the disputed issues and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to facilitate a meeting with the Union Health Minister.
In separate reminder letters dated October 21, signed by KSU Assistant General Secretary Pynshaiborlang Rani, the union sought a written response from NEIGRIHMS and a time-bound plan of action from the state government.
In its letter to NEIGRIHMS Director Prof. (Dr.) Nalin Mehta, the KSU stated that the demands raised in its memorandum dated April 1, 2025, remained unresolved. The demands relate to recruitment transparency, reservation roster management and employment opportunities for indigenous candidates from Meghalaya.
The union reiterated its demand to restore the upper age limit for relevant nursing officer posts to 35 years, with applicable relaxations for reserved categories. It also sought consideration of a 20:80 male-to-female recruitment ratio.
The KSU further demanded the removal of the condition restricting eligible work experience to hospitals with at least 50 beds, stating that relevant experience gained at other registered hospitals should also be accepted. It also called for recruitment examinations to be conducted offline through an Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)-based system.
On reservation, the union sought proper maintenance of the reservation roster, identification of backlog vacancies and a review of provisions governing Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), including the allocation of vacancies to Meghalaya’s ST candidates.
It also called for scrutiny of previous recruitment exercises and corrective measures wherever necessary.
The KSU urged the institute not to place the disputed issues before the proposed Governing Council meeting for consideration or approval until its demands had been examined and the outcome communicated to the union.
The organisation also urged the director to consider resigning on moral and administrative grounds if he felt unable to address the concerns raised.
In its letter to the Chief Minister, the KSU recalled that it had launched an indefinite sit-in at NEIGRIHMS on May 1, 2025, over recruitment practices, indigenous representation and employment opportunities for Meghalaya’s residents.
The agitation was temporarily suspended on May 5 following discussions with a state government delegation led by then Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh, after assurances of further intervention.
According to the union, it was subsequently understood that the state government would facilitate a meeting with the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare to discuss the issues.
The KSU also referred to assurances during a meeting with the state government on August 26, 2026, followed by discussions with the Chief Secretary on September 8. However, it maintained that no tangible progress had been made despite these engagements.
While acknowledging that NEIGRIHMS falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the Centre, the union urged the state government to actively pursue the concerns of Meghalaya’s residents with the appropriate authorities.
It sought formal communication with the Centre, follow-up discussions with the Union Health Ministry and NEIGRIHMS, and a time-bound course of action. The union also requested an update on arrangements for the proposed meeting with the Union Health Minister.
Reaffirming its willingness to engage in constructive dialogue, the KSU warned that it could consider further democratic and lawful action if decisions on the disputed issues proceeded without adequately addressing its concerns.
