Govt examining entire job recruitment process

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 20: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said the government is examining the entire job recruitment process to come up with a comprehensive policy to bring reforms in the system.

“We are examining the entire recruitment process. Hence, we have come to a conclusion that if we are to bring reforms, let us do it once and for all and let us look into all aspects and come up with a comprehensive policy and plan,” Sangma said while replying in the Assembly.

This was after UDP legislator from Mokaiaw Nujorki Sungoh has requested the government to examine the need to do away with personal interviews in order to ensure transparency in the recruitment process.

He cited that the Centre had already abolished the personal interview since 2016 following which 23 States and 8 Union Territories have accordingly implemented this decision.

“Therefore, I request the chief minister to kindly examine this matter and make sure our State also abolish the personal interview to ensure there is no favouritism and nepotism (in the job recruitment process),” Sungoh asserted.

To this, Sangma said the former chief minister in 2017 had written to the Government of India informing that the State government would not do away with the personal interview.

“However, we are examining the matter. There are pros and cons to this aspect. That is why the government is examining all aspects to make sure whatever decision taken is for overall interest and is going to ensure the overall processes is smoothen and give better opportunities to the youth of the State,” he added.

Sangma further informed that the former chief minister in his letter in 2017 had pointed out the present of different qualified persons (applying for different posts) and hence an interview will allow the selection committee to understand the quality and differentiate between individuals and see who will be better for a particular job.

“All these factors as I said we need to look into it. It is not a small decision, it is a decision that will affect the youth, we need to be careful, we need to do a lot of analysis and examination and we cannot have a simple approach or a piecemeal basis,” he said.

The Chief Minister reiterated the need for a comprehensive policy to bring major reforms in the job recruitment process in the state.

Guv attends Shad Suk Mynsiem

The Governor of Meghalaya, Phagu Chauhan graced the annual Shad Suk Mynsiem held at Weiking Ground, Jaiaw.

Also present on the occasion was Deputy Chief Minister, P. Tynsong, VPP MLA, Brightstarwell Marbaniang, former MLA, Samlin Malngiang among others.

The three days Shad Suk Mynsiem which began on April 8 came to an end today. The active participation of tribal Khasi men and women in the Thanksgiving dance added grace and grandeur to the event.

IGNOU setting benchmarks for Open Distance Learning: Guv

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 4: The Governor of Meghalaya, Phagu Chauhan today graced the 36th Convocation of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) at IGNOU Regional Center Shillong, NEHU Campus. The Convocation was part of the main function conducted at IGNOU Headquarters at New Delhi and also simultaneously in all 33 Regional Centers across the country.

Delivering the Convocation Address, the Governor lauded the Indira Gandhi National Open University for taking the national responsibility of promoting and setting benchmarks for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online education (OL) in Meghalasystems in India and the world. “IGNOU, which is known to be the World’s largest open University with above 3 million enrolments of students in different IGNOU programmes, has made significant contributions to democratizing Higher Education in the country by providing access to a large number of aspirants through the Open & Distance mode and through online mode,” he added.

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Stressing on the need for shifting from the conventional degree to Skill Development, Employability, Entrepreneurship and Community Development programs, the Governor reiterated the importance for every University in India to make its academic programmes more futuristic and need-oriented. “The NEP puts a greater emphasis on restructuring academic programmes to make them multidisciplinary and holistic. Academic programmes should focus not only on the creation of new knowledge but also to acquire skills required for the job market”, he said.

The Governor further stated that to fulfill India’s mission and goal set by NEP 2020, there is a need of the hour to make a collaborative framework between Central and State government institutes to identify skill-based bridge courses in the emerging area of professional/vocational programmes.

Established in April 1988, IGNOU Regional Centre Shillong at present has 21 Learner Support Services covering 10 districts of Meghalaya. This year 1319 learners are being conferred Degrees/ Diplomas/ certificates for this 36th Convocation under the Shillong Regional Centre.

SC verdict on pleas for independent mechanism to appoint EC on Thursday

New Delhi, March 1 (IANS) The Supreme Court will deliver judgment on Thursday on a batch of petitions seeking a collegium-like system for the appointment of Election Commissioners (ECs) and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

A constitution bench, headed by Justice K.M. Joseph and comprising Justices Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy, and C.T. Ravikumar had reserved judgment in the matter on November 24, 2022. According to the cause list, two judgments, each by Justices Joseph and Rastogi, will be pronounced at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday in the matter.

During the arguments, Attorney General R. Venkataramani had told the Supreme Court that if it were to begin to doubt every step taken by the government in the process of appointment of the Election Commissioner, then it has implications on the integrity and independenceA of the institution.

The five-judge constitution bench, headed by Justice Joseph, had then shot a volley of questions at the country’s top law officer in connection with the appointment of Election Commissioner Arun Goel. It posed some critical questions to the AG in connection with Goel’s appointment: what deliberation could have been done to finalise his name within 24 hours, same-day clearance, same day process completed, and the appointment was made not even in 24 hours.

The Centre had, however, maintained that there is no trigger point for the Supreme Court to interfere in the appointment process of the Election Commissioner.

After hearing detailed arguments, the Supreme Court reserved the judgment on a batch of petitions seeking a collegium-like system for the appointment of the ECs and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

During the hearing, the Supreme Court had told the Centre that it wants to see the files relating to the recent appointment of Goel as the Election Commissioner and emphasised that it wants to see by what mechanism, “he was picked up”, and “there is no danger to produce it (files)”.