SHILLONG : The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) has issued a strong three-month ultimatum to the Meghalaya government, demanding a state-wide overhaul of District Selection Committee (DSC) rules, citing what it described as a “complete collapse of administrative integrity” in West Jaintia Hills.
In a petition submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the union highlighted serious irregularities, including a six-month period during which the DSC allegedly operated without legal authority.
According to JSU, the tenure of the previous DSC expired on April 28, 2025, but a new committee was notified only on November 11, 2025. During this gap, recruitment processes, examinations, and advertisements were reportedly conducted by what the union termed a “ghost committee.”
The union stated that its findings were based on detailed investigations and discussions with district authorities, exposing major loopholes and violations in the recruitment system.
JSU also raised concerns over the reappointment of the same non-official members in the newly constituted committee, alleging that the absence of term limits under the 2014 office memorandum has allowed individuals to retain positions repeatedly, leading to allegations of political patronage and lack of transparency.
Further issues flagged include the absence of a full-time Member-Secretary—who is reportedly posted in Amlarem—and the failure to publish answer keys after examinations, which the union says undermines fairness and accountability.
To address these concerns, JSU has put forward several key demands, including amendments to the 2014 standard operating procedures, introduction of a mandatory six-month recruitment cycle, publication of answer keys within 48 hours, a two-term limit for committee members, and the appointment of a resident Member-Secretary.
The union stressed that such reforms are necessary to protect the interests of youth and ensure a fair recruitment system.
“We refuse to let outdated bureaucracy compromise the hard work of our youth,” the union stated, warning that failure to implement these transparency measures within three months would force it to initiate strong democratic action.