Guv’s nod awaited for setting up of Captain Williamson Sangma State University

Minister-in-charge of Education Rakkam A Sangma has informed that the government is waiting for the Governor to give his assent to the Captain Williamson Sangma Technical University (Amendment) Bill, 2023 passed by the State Assembly recently for setting up of a State University.

“We have just passed the Act in the Assembly and once the Governor gives his assent, we will work out the modalities on how to go ahead and to start the State University at the earliest possible,” Sangma told reporters here.

He said that having a state university after 50 years of statehood is a milestone for the government.

The Captain Williamson Sangma State University (Amendment) Act, 2023 proposes to amend the Captain Williamson Sangma Technical University Act.

The objective of the Act is to have State Universities catering to both higher and technical education offering higher education in the fields of humanities, general sciences, engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, commerce, performing arts, professional courses, technology and related areas.

It will also provide scope for research, advancement and dissemination of knowledge therein.

The minister said the problem related to the CUET will be resolved to a great extent once all colleges are affiliated to the State University.

“Not only about the CUET issue, it is for better education facilities for our students. Due to certain limitations, we have to ask for an exemption and we cannot ask for an exemption again and again. Therefore, we have to find a way forward and a better solution for our students,” Sangma added.

HNYF wants implementation of ‘prospective’ roster system

The Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) today said implementation of the roster system should not be ‘retrospective’.

Speaking to media persons, HNYF president Sadon K Blah said the state government should come up with a policy which will ensure implementation of the roster system should be prospective and not retrospective.

He said that the Meghalaya High Court in its order passed on the matter did not talk about the roster system needing to be with retrospective effect.

On the demand for reviewing the state reservation policy, Blah said, “Constitutionally, the reservation policy was intended only for 10 years and many Supreme Court rulings say that reservation should not be beyond 50 per cent. So if we attempt to bring legislation to review the entire reservation, it might invite the attention of the judiciary and that will have a more negative impact on the issue.”

He also urged all concerned to be aware of the Supreme Court’s ruling when it comes to the reservation issue and to be aware of the temporary constitutional status of the reservation.

He said that if a resolution is passed in the Assembly, it will surely invite the attention of the judiciary, which had already maintained that reservation no matter what should not be more than 50 per cent.