KSU demands state University and early release of scholarship

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 9, 2019

SHILLONG: The education cell of Khasi Student Union (KSU) central body on Thursday apprise the Education Minister of Meghalaya Lahkmen Rymbui on the need to immediately set up a state government university and to rectify the problems encountered by students concerning their scholarships.

The Union has also highlighted the demands for upgrading the existing Polytechnic Institutes into a full-fledged engineering college while also pointing out that the seat matrix adopted by the North Eastern Regional Institute of Education (NERIE), Meghalaya which is in compliance with the Centre’s reservation pool is highly unjustifiable owing to the fact that there is no seat reserved for scheduled tribes but only for general and OBC.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the Minister, Chairman education cell KSU Readyon S Nongrum said, “We have apprised the Minister on the need to set up a state government university as the number of graduates in the state keeps on increasing in every academic year and the presence of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) which is a central government institute could not cater to all these students prompting them to seek higher education outside the state.”

He informed that the Minister has told them in regards to the setting up a state government university the government will not be able to take up the matter at present as the government is facing financial constraints.

Concerning scholarship of students, he said, “In the past students receive their scholarship in time however at present the students have to wait 2-3 years to avail their scholarships and this has created a problem for the student community.”

He informed that the Minister has admitted that there is a delay in releasing the students scholarship however it’s not due to the education department but it’s because of the public finance distribution system.

“The government at present is affiliated with Meghalaya Rural Bank and the Minister has assured us that if this problem persists then they will affiliate with the State Bank of Inida (SBI) to ease the problems of the students,” he said.

On their demand for an engineering college the Minister has informed that process of construction of the college is underway at the campus of the existing Polytechnic Institute.

He informed that at present the state government is constricting two community colleges at Rongjeng, East Garo hills and at Patharkhmah which is expected to be completed by 2021 and 2022 respectively.

“We will also have to take up the issue regarding the construction of Shillong Medical College as it is still pending while Tura Medical College the construction is underway,” he said.

The KSU leader informed that the matter will be taken up by the Union with the Health Minister AL Hek in the coming days.