Govt addressing ambiguity in permanent residency certificates

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 22: Minister-in-charge of Health and Family Welfare Ampareen Lyngdoh on Friday said the department has sought clarity from the home (political) as well as law department on the decision of some districts to issue provisional permanent residency certificates to the open category MBBS students.

Tabling a statement relating to the call attention notice of North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum, Lyngdoh said, “In light of the ambiguity on the part of the district administration on the issue of permanent residency certificate, since some districts is used provisional PRC to the open category students earlier, it was decided to refer the matter to home (political) as well as law department seeking clarity on the matter.”

She said verification of 2 more candidates is awaited.

Meghalaya was initially allotted 92 seats in the current academic year and two additional seats under the central pool.

Of these 52 seats are from the central pool, 13 from RIMS Imphal, 14 from NEIGRIHMS Shillong, 3 from Tripura and 10 from Assam.

Lyngdoh said as per the residency status claimed by the candidates, respective deputy commissioners were asked to ascertain about their permanent residency status.

Reports were received from respective DCs. Based on teh DC’s report and the documents submitted, results of MBBS seat allocation were announced on August 31, 2023 and subsequently upon receipt of two additional seats under the central pool, the seat allocation was revised on September 4, 2023.

She said following representations by some civil societies, the Health & Family Welfare Department issued a notification dated September 6, 2023, staying the seating allocation of the following open category students pending re-verification of their residency status as per home (political) OM Dated June 10, 1983.

The eight open-category students include Mehbub Hassan, Monimul Ekram Mondall, Mahmudul Islam, Atida Zaman, Chiranjit Kumar Paul, Angoor Zaman Hoque, Abul Kala, Golam Mahdi Alom and Ayush Kumar.

As on September 21, the re-verification of permanent residency status for six students has been received. These include Mehbub Hassan, Md Mahmadur Islam, Atifa Zaman, Chiranjit Kumar and Angoor Zaman Hoque have presented PRC for higher education and training issued by SDO Dadenggre sub-division West Garo Hills and Ayush Kumar presented PRC issued by DC of East Jaintia Hills.

AIM against gambling in melas

The Awakening Indian Movement (AIM) has sought the intervention of the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district to ensure a blanket ban on gambling at melas being organized by different agencies.

Speaking to media persons, chairman of AIM Bansharai Marbaniang said that many people from other part of the country come to Meghalaya to host various kinds of melas, however these melas have games that encourage gambling with money which is detrimental and have a negative impact on the welfare of the people.

Marbaniang alleged that melas throughout the country are being held in order to provide entertainment to all citizens where they can experience happiness especially for children, students, and youth but at present melas in Meghalaya are being held with gambling which have detrimental and a negative impact on the welfare of the people.

“During our visit to the mela held at the Parking Lot outside Polo Ground in Shillong, the mela hosted various gambling activities with money and young people and students in uniform participated in various gambling games” said Marbaniang.

Marbaniang said that AIM is not against organizing melas in the state, however it stands against the act of gambling that is being held at the venues hence the AIM sought the intervention into this matter.

State BJP observes Ambedkar’s birth anniversary

The BJP Meghalaya observed the 133rd birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar in which various programs were organised throughout the state in district offices, mandals and booths in the Khasi-Jaintia and Garo Hills.

The daylong program included cleaning and floral tribute made by the party cadres to the iconic statues at the state central library complex.

Later in the day a talk on the life and contributions of Ambedkar was held at the state party office in which the Chairman of legal cell Mananiya SP Mahanta and State President of BJP Ernest Mawrie delivered the lecture note to the gathering.