Talks hold with agitating students
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 16 2013:
Education Minister M Okendro today held talks with the agitating students' body, Co-Ordination Committee of College Students' Union at his office chamber here today during which the various demands put forward by the union were discussed in detail.
During the course of the meeting which started off from 3:45 pm and continued till 6:45 pm, Minister Okendro explained to the delegates of Co-Ordination Committee of College Students' Union that although all the demands are reasonable, turning them into reality would not be possible since the funds allocated to Higher and Technical Education is just Rs 15 crores.
From this total amount, Rs 11 crores would be used up in paying the salaries of Part Time Lecturers.
While appealing to the agitating students to withdraw their boycott stand of upcoming Semester Examination, Minister Okendro stated that the State Govt has decided to meet some ofthe demands and it is under process.
The Minister also stated that lack of infrastructures in colleges can be easily made up when Rashtriya Uchchattar Shikshya Abhiyan (RUSA) is implemented in the State from the coming academic session and assured that books for over Rs 25 lakhs would be available in the libraries of government Colleges from June 15 .
The Minister assured that appointment of Regular Principals in accordance to UG guidelines would be started within three months.
The delegates of the union demanded a written assurance to which the Minister complied.
However, even if the delegates agreed to the request of the Minister, they did not show their agreement entirely and said that the matter would be discussed with the other leaders of the union and made known State Government later on.
During the meeting, Minister M Okendro was assisted by P Vaiphei, Commissioner of Higher and Technical Education; Kh Raghumani, Additional Secretary of Higher and Technical Education; RK Yaiskul, Additional Director of Higher and Technical Education; Y Dimbajit, Under Secretary of Higher and Technical Education and other top officials of the department while the eight-member team of Co-Ordination Committee of College Student's Union was led by Okram Premjit, Convener; Lusi Yumnam, Co-Convener and Elangbam Sovamani, Co-Convener.