Imphal, December 22: Cornering the Education Minister over alleged wrong doings in his Department, Opposition MLAs Dr Nimaichand Luwang and Yumkban Erabot have demanded stern action against those involved in making appointment under Die-in-Harness scheme on the sly and demanding Rs 5 lakhs in the name of the Education Director to ensure the release of pending salaries of part time lecturers working in various Govt Hr Sec schools.

Raising these issues during the Question and Answer session of the Assembly today, MLA of Wangkhem Assembly Constituency Dr Nimaichand Luwang informed the House that an individual demanded Rs 5 lakhs from the teachers in the name of the Director in return for releasing Rs 1,85,76,000 meant for meeting the pending salaries of the part-time lecturers.

As disclosed by Dr Luwang the name of the person is P Manihar and his telephone number is 2228727.Dr Luwang urged Education Minister Francis Ngajokpa to take up appropriate action and said that he can furnish the letter written by Manihar in this connection.

In his reply, the Education Minister admitted that both the Director and the contact person named are on the wrong side of the law.

But he did not mention anything about taking up action.

The Minister further in formed the House that there arein all 341 part time lecturers working in various Government higher secondary schools and their service have been extended till March 31 next year.

The Siate Government has formulated a policy to regylaiise the part time lecturers and an order was issued in this regard on Oc tpber 19, 2002, the Minister added.

MLA of Wangkhei Assembly Constituency Yumkham Lrabot strongly reacted to the Minister's assertion that appointment under Die-in-harness in Education Department were made in a 'chronological order'.

The MLA asked the Minister whether he will take up necessary action, if he was provided with all the relevant documents to prove that appointments have been made not on seniority basis and that everything had been done in a very fishy manlier.

Joining in the discussion, MLA Ningthoujam Biren said he too could furnish the all the necessary-documents to prove that there has been sly appointments.

Following the pressures of the Opposition MLAs, the Minister assured the House that he would take up action against those found guilty, if there is any truth in the charges.

In response to the main question asked by Erabot, the Education Minister informed the House that so far 138 persons have been appointed under Die-in-harness scheme in the Education Dep't while another 203 persons are yet to be given appointment.

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