Govt abetting regression of DMU: MPCC
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 12 2024:
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president MLA K Meghachandra has accused the state government of trying to degrade and dump Dhanamanjuri (DM) College (now DM University), which has produced several chief ministers, ministers, IAS officers and MPS officers, into the dustbin.
On Friday, an MPCC team led by MLA Meghachandra and working president Kh Devabrata met the students on hunger strike protest at DMU A-block demanding appointment of regular vice chancellor, registrar and controller of examinations.
Speaking to newspersons after meeting the students, Meghachandra denounced the government for ignoring plight of the students who are only demanding their right to education.
He said that DM College is one of the most important colleges in the state, which has produced numerous chief ministers, ministers, IAS and MPS officers.
With the passage of time, the College was upgraded to a university.
However, non-appointment of regular VC, registrar, controller of examinations and requisite staff in addition to delaying the salaries of in-service staff has affected the functioning of the institute, which in turn impacted the academic career of the students, he noted.
While lauding the bravery of the students with regard to demanding their rights, Meghachandra advised them against staging the hunger strike, adding that since it is a state issue, the Congress party will do the needful to address their grievances.
The MPCC president then urged the government to look into the matter at the earliest, questioning whether the education administration is alive or not.
While the Governor is appreciated for responding swiftly to students, he questioned why the government is feigning silence on the plight of the students and raised posers whether the administration of the state is at the hands of the Governor.
He further mentioned that students who have passed from the university with BA degrees are unable to pursue higher education as the university has failed to provide relevant certificates and documents.
As education is the backbone of a society, the government's lack of attention to the matter is worrisome and this issue has never happened in the pages of history, he maintained.
He also stated that although Manipur is in the midst of an ethnic violence, the DMU campus is not a hotspot for violence.
As such the administrative failure of the university has nothing to do with the violence.
If there is proper management, the university could be salvaged.
Additionally, it has been four days since the students launched hunger strike but there is no response from the government, he remarked.
"As Congress has now come forward to speak on behalf of the students, will it be again accused of politicising the matter?" Meghachandra posed.
The MPCC president continued that the right to education is enshrined in the Constitution.
Thus, the party demands formulation of some kind of state policy, while appointing a regular VC, registrar, controller of examinations and staff at the earliest.
He further urged against acts of forcing a single officer to take care of 4-5 departments and appointing other officers as OSD.
If recognised as a university, grants from UGC can be procured.
Hence, he urged the government not to abet regression of the university or consider it as a political gig.
On the other hand, Dhanamanjuri University Teachers' Association (DMUTA) has extended its support to protests of the students.
In a press release, convenor general Dr Md A Halim Shah said DMUTA had been demanding appointment of competent people who would see to timely conduct of the examination and declaring the results of the same.
He urged authority concerned to end the crisis as soon as possible and restore academic atmosphere in the university.
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