SHILLONG:
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, on July 3, will be visiting New Delhi to meet union ministers to hold discussions on several issues, including the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) issue.
Sangma will be meeting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to discuss the need to find a long-term solution to the CUET issue which included the setting up of centres across the state.
Recently, many students from the state were deprived of appearing for the CUET exams due to logistic challenges as they were allotted centres that are located outside the state, as far as Kolkata and Ranchi.
State Education Minister Rakkam Sangma will be accompanying the chief minister in the meeting with Pradhan.
“We are going to discuss the CUET issue, besides other issues relating to education,” Sangma told media on the sideline of a programme in Shillong on July 3.
“We have some plans with them (NTPC) to look at power plants in Meghalaya, the details of which cannot be divulged at this juncture,” the chief minister said.
He will also meet officials of the International Solar Alliance. “This again is in line with the CM Solar Mission – we will look at possibilities to collaborate with them,” Sangma added.
The chief minister will also meet Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss issues relating to the unity mall project in Meghalaya.
Unity Mall project is part of the One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative of the government of India, aimed at identifying and promoting a distinct product from each district, thereby creating a niche identity for them.
These malls will function as a one-stop marketplace for ODOP across the country. The ODOP initiative is a programme aligned with the goal of inclusive development across all districts of India.
Meanwhile, Sangma is also seeking an appointment with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the transfer of Cantonment Board land to the Municipal Board. “We are hoping of discussing that issue also but we have not got the appointment,” he said.