Imphal, February 05: Chief Minister O Ibobi today informed the House that though the composite scheme of the UGC has been implemented in the Government colleges, there is no question of raising the retirement age of the teachers from the current 59 to 62 .

Answering a query raised by MPP MLA Dr I Ibohalbi, the Chief Minister who is also in charge of the Department of Personnel, said that the All Manipur College Teachers' Association had put forward a number of points in connection with raising the retirement age to 62 . The UGC had also proposed that the teachers may be redeployed, if needed, after their superannuation, said the CM.

The Cabinet has discussed the matter, but it remains be seen whether raising the retirement age will be productive in view of the large number of unemployed educated youth in the State, explained the CM.

To another question raised by Chingai AC MLA Dr Khashim Ruivah, Ibobi replied that the Cabinet which is scheduled to meet tomorrow will decide how many high schools will be upgraded to higher secondary level.

At present there are 16 high schools with students ranging from 300 to 1000, said the Chief Minister and added that since the number of the students who took admission and the actual strength did not match in some cases, a physical verification exercise has been ordered, said Ibobi.

The CM also recalled how some higher secondary schools in the valley area were downgraded to high schools because of the discrepancy in the number of students.

Education Minister L Jayantakumar chipped in and informed the House that the rationalisation drive of the strength of teachers and non-teaching staff under the Education Dept has been finalised.

However the transfer and posting of teachers and non-teaching staff have been put on hold since the MGEL drive is yet to be over, he added.

BAD programme : The work programme under the Border Area Development programme for the term 2007-08 has been finalised by the Screening Committee, said the Chief Minister today while responding to a question raised by Phungyar AC MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing today.

Incidentally the Chief Minister is the Chairman of the Screening Committee.

The Chief Minister said that the work programme was drawn up on the basis of the reports submitted by the DCs of Ukhrul, Chandel and Churachandpur as well as inputs from the Assam Rifles and police.

The Union Home Ministry has also given the nod to the work programme worked out, he said and added that the total amount has been worked out at Rs 10.9 crore.

The CM's explanation however failed to satisfy MLAs Khashim Ruivah, Danny Shaiza and Morung Makunga who maintained that some of their recommendations were not entertained at all.

Revenue Dept : Answering a query raised by MPP MLA Dr Ng Bijoy, Revenue Minister Th Debendra said that 18 mole hills which were located in the erstwhile districts known as North and South District have been transferred to the valley area.

Rural Development : Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Allauddin Khan today informed the House that a programme under the Backward Region Grant Fund will be taken up at Tamenglong district from this fiscal.

Moreover out of the Rs 45 crores sanctioned under the RSVY scheme, Rs 37.50 crore has been utilised.

The Minister gave this information in response to a question raised by Tamei AC MLA Awangbou Newmei.

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