TET talk inconclusive; Edn Minister sticks to his gun
JCHDSO defers eco-blockade for 3 days
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 14 2012:
The talk between the Government officials led by Education Minister Moirangthem Okendro Singh and agitating Joint Committee of Hill Districts Students' Organisation (JCHDSO) over TET issue remained conclusive.
TET exam is scheduled to be held on November 11 .
The two parties held a marathon meeting for two and half hours at the office chamber of the Minister today, but no definite solution could be brought about with Education Minister turning down the demands of JCHDSO reiterating that TET centres would be set up in the hill districts from next year onwards while the agitating JCHDO seeking an explanation from the State Government over alleged denial of their demands.
However, at the fervent appeal of the Education Minister, who requested the tribal student leaders to wait for three more days as he wants to consult the matter with the chief minister and his Cabinet colleagues, JCHDSO has decided to defer its proposed indefinite economic blockade by three days.
During the meeting which began at around 1.30 pm and went on till 4 pm, JCHDSO members urged the Education Minister for setting up TET centres in the hill districts from this year onwards and sought a clarification from the state government on why the demand could not be fulfilled.
On its part, the state government stuck to its earlier stand maintaining that setting up of TET centres in the hill districts this time would not be possible on account of various technical problems.
MLAs Preshow Shimray, Dr Alexander Pao, Z Kikhonbao Newmai; Director of Education (S) H Deleep; Additional Director (Hills) Ranjan Yumnam were among the government delegates present in the meeting while members of JCHDSO included 11 members of Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur (ZSUM), Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), Churachandpur District Students' Union (CDSU) and Naga Students Union, Chandel (NSUC) .
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Minister Moirangthem Okendro informed that although the state government would not be able to provide TET centres in the hill districts as there are a number of technical problems to be sorted out first, the State government has decided to open TET centres in the hill districts from next year.
He pointed out that any more delay in the conduct of TET would only create problem to those candidates whose academic age has almost crossed the upper limit.
He also appealed to the agitating tribal students to bear with the government for some time.
On the other hand, talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, W Wungnaoshung, President of TKS informed that JCHDSO had urged the Education Minister to postpone the TET.
However, the Minister said that since he could not take the decision by himself, the issue would be taken up for discussion in the Cabinet meeting.
To give some more time to the government to take a definite decision, JCHDSO has decided to defer the indefinite economic blockade which was scheduled to begin from October 15, by another three days.
If the State Cabinet fails to take a decision in favour of the students in the hill districts, the economic blockade along all the National Highways would start from October 18 midnight, he warned.
Comment
