Imphal, January 19: The federal assembly of the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) held at Tamenglong district headquarters yesterday has adopted various resolutions to the effect of improving the standard of education and administration in the hill districts of Manipur.

Besides 25 members and 3 Units, representatives of Manipur University Tribal Students' Union (MUTSU) attended the federal assembly.

On shortage of teachers in Government schools, the assembly took serious note of the adamant stand of the department concerned in not extending the service of the contract basis teachers and unanimously resolved to entrust the district students' union concerned to identity those schools which deserved help and submit the same to ATSUM within January 2007 .

The assembly further resolved that those schools identified by the district units be given top priority and their difficulties and shortcomings be addressed immediately.

On the problem of tribal students in Manipur University, the house endorsed and appreciated the steps taken up by MUTSU in pursuing matters related to the plight of the tribal students be it in admission or employment.

Consequently, the executive of ATSUM has been entrusted to keep in touch with MUTSU in monitoring the developments in the University and explore for creation of a separate Hill University for the tribal people.

On matter related to tribal area administration, the house resolved to endorse the executive of ATSUM to constitute a special committee to study the different aspects of the administration of the tribal areas of the State as well as the decentralisation of powers and also the now defunct Autonomous District Councils.

On delimitation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies, the house noted with pain the manner in which the State Government and political parties of Manipur took up the issue of delimitation exercise initiated by the Delimitation Commission of India, In view of the seriousness of the issue and the likely implications it will have on the tribal people of the State, it was decided to take up the matter with all seriousness and urgency.

A sub-committee headed by G Ningthaodai (assembly speaker) as the convenor was also constituted unanimously during the session and it was decided that other members of the Committee will be appointed in consultation with the executive of ATSUM, according to a joint statement issued by assembly secretary Nga-ranchui and assembly speaker G Ningthaodai.

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