Mukul's assurance brings hope for Gram Sevikas

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, July 25: The agitating members of Association of Qualified Candidates for the post of Gram Sevika 2012, East Khasi Hills now see a ray of hope after Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma’s assurance that he would direct the Community and Rural Development (C &RD) department to examine the legal aspect for extending the merit list of the qualified candidates.

This assurance was given by Dr Sangma after UDP legislators Jemino Mawthoh and Titus Chyne met him on Friday.

According to Nongthymmai legislator, Mawthoh during the meeting the Chief Minister also expressed that he shared the same concern for the plight of the agitating candidates.

The two opposition legislators, during their meeting with Dr Sangma also disapproved over the lapses on the part of the East Khasi Hills District Selection Committee (DSC) to not appoint the candidates despite declaring them eligible for the job.  Both Mawthoh and Chyne said that the failure of the DSC has forced the genuine candidates to resort to hunger strike to get their demands fulfilled. “It is illegal on the part of the DSC to not them appointment after declaring them passed,” Mawthoh said.

Mawthoh also suggested to the Chief Minister that the department should extend the validity of the merit list of the Gram Sevikas as was done in previous years with the Grade IV candidates on several occasions.

It may be noted that eight members of the Association of Qualified Candidates for the post of Gram Sevika 2012, East Khasi Hills are on an indefinite hunger strike for the past 13 days.