Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday informs members of the assembly that the State government was seized with the matter relating to relaxation of upper age limit for the youth for applying for government jobs and was examining the issue before taking any decision.
“Time and again steps have been taken to increase the age limit for STs (Scheduled Tribes), but there are pros and cons of this,” Sangma said in reply to a query raised in this regard by United Democratic Party (UDP)legislator Nujorki Sungoh of the ruling bench.
Sungoh had wanted to know from the chief minister whether the proposal put forth by the UDP on upper age relaxation for appointments in the government sector was under active consideration of the government.
The UDP legislator had pointed out that thousands of youth could not apply for government jobs due to the existing age bar.
Acknowledging that these were “genuine points,” the Chief Minister, however, added that the matter was being examined, even as he informed that currently the upper age limit for applying for government jobs in the State was 27 years in general but it was different for various categories of jobs.
Sangma also pointed out that while the government was serious about reviewing the upper age limit, important issues like the fitness of the candidates, which is related to age would also have to be kept in mind.
Further, the Chief Minister also said that given the fact that several other North Eastern States have relaxed the upper age limit, besides the University Grants Commission (UGC), which too has relaxed the upper age limit, it was indication enough that Meghalaya would also have to take a call in this regard.
Some of the legislators had also pointed out that while several other North Eastern States have already relaxed the upper age limit for applying for government jobs in their respective states,
Meghalaya was yet to take a call in this regard, even though the pandemic has caused job losses across the board.
The Chief Minister, however, did not give any assurance or timeline in this regard and said the matter had to be examined by the cabinet before a decision is arrived at in this regard.
