Govt examining relaxing upper age limit for job recruitment: CM

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 11, 2021

The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government is examining the demand for relaxing the upper age limit for recruitment to various government jobs in the state.

“We are examining as there is plus and minus to it but it will not be correct for me to give assurance as it is decision which the cabinet as a whole has to take,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said. 

He was replying to a query raised by UDP legislator from Mookaiaw, Nujorki Sungoh in the Assembly on Thursday. 

Sungoh has urged the state government to consider relaxing the upper age limit as was done for recruitment to the teacher posts. 

According to him, there are thousands of youth who coul dnot apply for government jobs due to the existing age bar despite having desired qualification. 

When Independent Mawphlang legislator SK Sunn wondered if it was not an injustice for Meghalaya to be stagnant at 27 years as the age limit to apply government job when other NE states have increased the same, chief minister however said there are pros and cons to the issue. 

“Therefore, we need to go into details what would happen if we increase the age limit as whatever decision taken should not affect overall functioning of the government,” he said.

“Once it is done properly, step will be taken to minmize the cons…we will come to a final conclusion very shortly,” Sangma added.

Earlier, Chief Minister asked the North Shillong legislator Adelbert Nongrum to ask his question properly and refrain from being dramatic when the latter raised his voice and accused the government of not being serious on the issue. 

When Nongrum stated that legislators are not actors, Deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong requested the member to leave his emotions aside.

The matter was intervened by the Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh who appealed to the member to maintain decorum and discipline in the House. Later, the North Shillong legislator tendered apology for his action and clarified that it was because the government was contradicting in its reply made on the issue during the last session.