Imphal, April 26 2009: THE DEMOCRATIC Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) today demanded the replacement of the newly appointed Chairperson of the Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (CHSEM) citing that the appointed official is not eligible for the post according to the Rules and Regulations.

Addressing a press conference today at the DESAM's Head Office at Keishampat, Education Secretary of the students' body, Arambam Thoithoi said that the person whom the authority appoints as the new Chairman of CHSEM is not qualified for the post as per the existing RR.

Additional Director of Education (S), S Geeta has been appointed for the post of CHSEM Chairman to fill the vacant post lying after the retirement of N Ibobi on April 9 last according to an order issued by the Secretary of Education (S), PK Singh on April 24, Thoithoi said.

Citing the eligibility criteria of a person for appointment as Chairman of CHSEM under the existing RR, Thoithoi said that the person must be either Director of Education (U) or Director of Education (S), or a reader/selection grade lecturer in government college with 15 years experience as principal, to be appointed as Chairman of CHSEM for three years subject to extension and shortening of one year.

Thoithoi points out that the newly appointed Chairman doesn't fulfill any of the given criteria.

He categorically said that education system of the state seems to allow the government to carry out anything it like.

Thoithoi further asked whether the Education Secretary of DESAM could be appointed as the Chairman of CHSEM after greasing the oily palm while charging that the government doesn't pay heeds to save the Education department from extinction by DESAM and various other students' bodies.

Demanding immediate suitable replacement for the 'ineligible' Chairman of CHSEM, Thoithoi conveyed that DESAM would boycott the newly appointed 'unqualified' Chairman of CHSEM and she would not be allowed to enter the office of the Chairman.

Thoithoi further cautioned that the outcome arising from any forcible attempt by the government to let her enter the office will be the responsibility of the government.

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