KSU threatens stern opposition if 28 posts of policy makers under MDRF are not given to tribal indigenous of Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 23, 2024

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has demanded the state government to advertise in public domain the recruitment and enrolment process for policy makers under the Meghalaya District Research Fellowship (MDRF).

In a letter to Development Commissioner, Planning, Investment, Promotion and Sustainable Development Department (PIPSDD) Sampath Kumar, KSU – Employment Monitoring Cell has expressed its discontent over the recruitment and enrolment process for policy makers under the MDRF for not applying a fair and transparent method.

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy in collaboration with PIPSDD, Government of Meghalaya has posted on LinkedIn in the month of September for 28 posts which includes 24 posts of District Research Fellows, 2 posts for Data Scientists/Senior Researchers and 1 post each for Senior District Research Fellow and Project Coordinator.

“The Union urge that such research/projects/data analysis & collections etc., must be handed over to North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) and other universities in the State tapping into the human resources of the State and giving opportunities to the indigenous tribal of the State who are well versed with the issues of the State instead of some foreign and alien agencies,” chairman of the KSU employment monitoring cell Reuben Najiar said in the letter.

“If the Government is of the opinion of going forward with the ISB in collaboration with the MDRF, then the Union demands that such posts to be advertised in public domain giving opportunities to all the domicile of the Meghalaya to be able to apply, having proper recruitment process/criteria/selection through written examination and also all the 28 posts must be for the indigenous tribal of Meghalaya and any deviation from the said demand will be met by stern opposition from the Union,” he warned.

Najiar said that LinkedIn is not an official website of the Government of Meghalaya to advertised for any employment opportunities adding that any employment opportunities must be out in public domain through the official websites and local newspapers. 

“Although, in the instant case it’s the ISB who posted for such recruitment on LinkedIn but the Government has failed to published any information in this regard in their official websites making the recruitment process secretive and private, hampering and limiting the opportunities of the indigenous tribals of the State and raising concerns of nepotism being involved.”

Stating that the mode of selection, qualification is totally ambiguous which makes all this recruitment process a sham, Najiar said, “Without any proper criteria and procedures put in place, the Union fails to see how is the recruitment process going to be fair and transparent.”

Further, he said that the ISB in their initial post on LinkedIn stated that 50% of the vacancies will be filled by non-domiciles of Meghalaya but it was later removed. 

“The Union strongly opposes to such kinds of outlook by such agencies whereby they bring non-domiciles of Meghalaya to work in the State seizing the opportunities of the indigenous tribals of the State,” Najiar added.

The KSU leader also stated that the ISB stated in LinkedIn that the people appointed in the said posts will work and support the District Magistrate & Collectors in implementation of various development schemes and addressing issues at the district level. 

“It’s an irony that the State Government does not believe in the capabilities of the District Magistrates and Collectors of the State even after passing equivalent examinations through MPSC/ UPSC, etc., that they will be able to implement various development schemes and address the various issues on their own that they would need help from such agencies to instruct them on their work and performances,” he said.

“The Union has observed that such kinds of consultancy agencies has flooded the Secretariat and offices all over the State. Their role and performances are highly sceptical in regards to their efforts in the progress of the State,” he asserted while further adding “It appears that most of the people from the State who work with such agencies are either related or have recommendations from politicians and other people holding official positions in the State. In fact, it can be said that such agencies are made to absorbs such people to work for the Government.”