Staff Nurse Recruitment exam cancelled following students' protest

Sambalpur: The written exam for the recruitment of staff nurse at the Sambalpur Sadar hospital was cancelled today after hundreds of job aspirants gheraoed the office of Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) and staged demonstration protesting selection of candidates from other districts.

According to sources, several candidates from Sambalpur who didn't get selected to appear for the exam or didn't make it to the merit list, protest the selection procedure for the exam and demanded that priority should be given to the aspirants of home district.

“Students of other districts have found place in the merit list whereas, from Sambalpur, only 1-2 students have been shortlisted. When we appear for the same exam in other districts such as Koraput, Malkangiri and Ganjam, we hardly find a place as they give priority to the candidates of their home district. We are equally qualified... But, ignored,” rued a candidate, Sairindri Seth.

“Preference is given to the aspirants of home district in every district. We also demand the same here,” said another student, Himadri Pradhan.

Later, the protestors withdrew their agitation after the CDMO announced cancellation of the exam.

“We were conducting the exam as per the guidelines of the State government. As some students protested the selection procedure, the exam has been cancelled for the time being. We will appraise the State government about the matter and take further action,” said Sambalpur CDMO K K Gupta.