Staff Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Sep 16: The All Arunachal Pradesh Contractual Nursing Officer Association (AAPCNOA) has stepped up its demand for a fair transition in the state’s Nursing Officer recruitment system, urging the Arunachal Pradesh government to protect the interests of contractual Nursing Officers serving under the National Health Mission (NHM).
Addressing the media at the Arunachal Press Club, President AAPCNOA Rumik Agum appealed to the government to intervene in the uncertainty arising from the recruitment rules notified in 2024.
The association said many contractual Nursing Officers have been serving the health department for several years, with some having completed 8–9 years of continuous service under the existing system.
According to the AAPCNOA, the new recruitment rules notified on March 6, 2024, provide for 100 percent direct recruitment through the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC). The association said the new arrangement has left long-serving contractual Nursing Officers uncertain about their future despite having entered government service under a different recruitment framework.
The association made it clear that it does not oppose APPSC recruitment or competitive examinations, but argued that a transition mechanism is necessary so that existing contractual employees are not disadvantaged by the change in policy.
As a solution, the AAPCNOA has proposed a 70:30 recruitment formula, under which 70 percent of vacancies would be filled through seniority-based recruitment on a phased basis, while the remaining 30 percent would be filled through direct APPSC recruitment. The arrangement, it said, should continue until all eligible contractual Nursing Officers are accommodated.
The association has also demanded that the revised recruitment mechanism be implemented from the first APPSC examination and that Nursing Officer recruitment be conducted regularly every year to prevent prolonged vacancies and uncertainty.
Seeking better financial security for contractual staff, the association has further demanded a minimum monthly salary of Rs 50,000, citing rising inflation, increasing responsibilities and the workload shouldered by Nursing Officers.
The AAPCNOA also urged the government to withhold the proposed APPSC examination for Nursing Officers until the recruitment rules are amended and a clear policy is framed for serving contractual employees.
Recalling their role during the COVID-19 pandemic, the association said contractual Nursing Officers worked on the frontline, often putting in long hours while providing critical healthcare services during the crisis.
The association appealed to Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Health Minister Biyuram Wahge and the Health Department to consider their demands and provide a concrete roadmap for the future of contractual Nursing Officers.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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