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Nursing Recruitment System: There is deep anger among nursing candidates regarding the changed nursing recruitment system in Uttarakhand. Candidates who have been preparing for government jobs for years say that the new examination-based system is doing injustice to the old batches and the future of thousands of youth is in danger. The candidates have intensified their demand for the government to reinstate the year-wise recruitment model.
Dehradun : A large number of candidates have come out on the streets under the banner of Nursing Ekta Manch regarding the changed nursing recruitment process in Uttarakhand. He says that the new examination based system suddenly implemented without consultation has ruined the dreams of those youth who were preparing to become government nursing officers for years. The candidates allege that the new system is being unfair to the candidates of older batches and pushing their future into darkness.
The changed recruitment system increased the concern of the candidates.
The nursing candidates protesting in Dehradun say that after years of studying nursing and gaining experience at low salaries in private hospitals, they were looking for a government job. But now their hard work has gone waste by making the recruitment exam based instead of year wise. Many candidates said that they come from hilly areas, where it is very difficult to survive on a salary of Rs 10 to 20 thousand while living in cities. There are many candidates whose age has passed while waiting for recruitment.
Pradeep, who came from a remote area of Tehri, told that his family had taken a loan to complete his nursing course. It was expected that he would get a government job, but due to lack of recruitment for a long time, he had to work in a government hospital at low salary. Amid rising inflation, it has become very difficult to meet rent, children’s education and household expenses.
Deepa Rana says that there is a huge shortage of health workers in the hill hospitals. If recruitment is available there, they are ready to serve even in remote areas. But changes in the selection process have further limited the opportunities.
Biggest impact on batch 2014 to 2016
State President of Nursing Ekta Manch Naval Pundir said that the new examination based system has especially affected the batches of 2014, 2015 and 2016 the most. The platform has been demanding year-wise recruitment for the last two years, but the sudden notification has put the future of thousands of candidates in danger.
According to Naval Pundir, reinstating the year-wise model will provide relief to about 1500 to 2000 candidates who have not been able to get appointment due to the abolition of the batch-based system. Forum officials also alleged that the general and OBC categories have suffered losses in the new system, while some categories have benefited more.
What are the main demands of the candidates
The protesting candidates have put forward four major demands before the government. The first demand among these is that the current Nursing Officer Recruitment Examination portal should be closed immediately. The second demand is that the recruitment process should be conducted on the year-wise basis as before. The third demand is that recruitment should be done simultaneously on at least 2500 vacant posts as per IPHS standards. The fourth important demand is that special age relaxation should be given to the candidates who have crossed the age limit and native candidates should be given priority.
Expecting a fair decision from the government
The protesters say that if the government does not pay attention to their demands, they will approach the court. Forum representative Madhu Uniyal said that recruitment should be done with complete transparency and old batches should be given due priority. He says that the entire nursing community of the state will be grateful to the government if the right decision is taken.
