Imphal: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh today called for an immediate end to the practice of seeking regularisation of contractual employees through bribery, stressing that genuine service, dedication and contribution must be the basis for consideration of legitimate claims.
The Chief Minister made the appeal while addressing the inauguration, launching and laying of foundation stone for various projects at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Porompat, Imphal.
Expressing concern over reports of alleged bribery in connection with the regularisation of nurses, which had also appeared in the media and led to the lodging of an FIR, the Chief Minister said that employees who had rendered dedicated service, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, should not resort to corrupt practices for regularisation.
He said that more than 200 nurses had been appointed on contractual basis in the State in view of the increased responsibilities and requirements of the healthcare sector, particularly during the COVID-19 period. He urged nurses and other contractual employees to place their genuine service and contribution before the Government through proper, transparent and legitimate channels.
The Chief Minister stressed that the Government would support employees who discharge their duties with honesty, dedication and dignity, and assured that legitimate concerns regarding regularisation would be looked into through due process. He urged employees to approach the Government with confidence and dignity rather than resorting to bribery or other unfair means.
The Chief Minister also said that the State had been facing certain economic constraints, due to which recruitment in Government departments had, for some time, been undertaken through contractual arrangements. However, he emphasised that the approach of seeking regularisation through bribery must end from this very day.
He also acknowledged the immense responsibilities shouldered by doctors, nurses and other healthcare personnel, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and commended the Health Department for their work in strengthening the health sector over the past four months.
Following the address, the Chief Minister officially inaugurated, launched and laid the foundation stones for various projects at JNIMS.
The projects included the Multipurpose Gym, established at a cost of Rs. 19 lakh; Autoclave Machine at CSSD, procured at a cost of Rs. 40 lakh; C-arm Digital R90 Digital Radiology and Fluoroscopy System, at a cost of approximately Rs. 4 crore; Cardio Hospital Management Information System under e-Gov Foundation; JNIMS-EMS (Employee Management System); SBI Collect; and the Liquid Medical Oxygen Plant under NESIDS (OTRI).
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for the College of Nursing at JNIMS under NESIDS (OTRI), Ministry of DoNER. He also inaugurated/launched the AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) Pharmacy, the Unified Health Portal for health-related services, and two Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) intended to provide healthcare services to vulnerable and remote populations in Saikul and Jiribam.
The programme was attended by Sumant Singh, Commissioner (Health and Family Welfare); Somorjit Salam, Director, JNIMS; faculty members, staff and students of JNIMS, besides other officials and invitees.
