Produce nurse appointment records, HC to health department

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati high court has directed the health department to produce detailed records of the selection process for the appointment to nurses in 54 posts across various hospitals and medical colleges of the state following a complaint by 21 candidates who were allegedly disqualified on grounds of their age.
The candidates, all working as contractual general nursing and midwifery (GNM) nurses in different hospitals of Cachar and Karimganj districts, were earlier allowed to appear in the written examination conducted by the health department in May this year as per a previous high court direction.

Advocate Bishwajyoti Purkayastha, counsel of the petitioners, said, "All of them cleared the written examination and were even allowed to appear in the skill test/documents verification in June later. However, again they were not recommended for the final selection. The petitioners, during their inquiry in the department, have come to know that they were rejected on grounds of being older than the prescribed age." The upper age limit for applying to these posts is 43 years.

He added, "Responding to their prayers, the HC has directed the health department to produce records of the selection process pertaining to allotment of marks and tabulation. The HC further directed the health department to keep 21 posts vacant till the matter is finalized."