KHNAM threatens to protest over age limit

SHILLONG, AUG 22: Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) today threatened to take to the street if the state government fails to heed the demand for increasing the upper age limit of candidates appearing for Meghalaya Civil Service (MCS) exams to 40 years.

“We would be compelled to hit the street if the state government fails to take a call on our demand,” KHNAM state youth wing president Thomas Passah told reporters after meeting the chief secretary Y Tsering, to whom a memorandum was submitted earlier, here on Tuesday.

The Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) had advertised for the recruitment to the Meghalaya Civil Service on July 24. The qualifying age was fixed to be above 21 years and below 27 years with upper age limits of five years for SC/ST.

In view that the last date for submission of application is on August 31, Passah said that they have decided to conduct a follow up on the matter with the chief secretary after having met the MPSC chairman LM Sangma yesterday.

“The chief secretary has expressed that the issue is a genuine one and that he had forwarded a file to the personnel department, which is headed by the chief minister Mukul Sangma for necessary action,” he said.

He said that demand is in view that provision of the MCS Rules, 1975 do permits the state government to take such step (of increasing the upper age limit for SC/ST candidates).

Section 9 Para (ii) of the MCS Rules has clearly stated: “provided that the upper age limit may be relaxed in respect of candidates belonging to special categories in accordance with any general or special order issued by the government from time to time.”

Asked, Passah said that the chairman of the MPSC had also maintained that it will not be a problem for the Commission to amend the advertisement (for purpose of relaxing the age limit) based on the direction of the state government.

He however said if there is a delay on the part of the state government to take a decision on this regard, it would be a great loss for the potential aspiring candidates as it is noted that even the present advertisement for civil service exams came after a gap of 9 years.

Stating that the state government has from time to time claimed that it views the present unemployment problem in the state with serious concern, Passah said, “If it is serious then it should take this opportunity to address the issue by applying the provision of the MCS rules.”

“We also appeal to all the ministers and legislators in the ruling government to also intervene into the matter in the interest of the people of the state,” he said.

According to him, the present age limit which is up to 32 years as fixed by the state government is the least compared to other states especially with regards to the central civil service exam which the upper age limit is fixed at 37 years.

Responding to a query, the KHNAM leader said that they would also soon meet the chief minister on the matter.

By Our Reporter