SHILLONG, FEB 23: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday said the state government is pursuing with the Centre for applying the reservation policy in the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across the state.
Replying to a short duration discussion raised by opposition VPP MLA from Nongkrem Ardent Basaiawmoit, Sangma said that during a meeting, the union tribal affairs minister had indicated that reservation will be considered for the state in the EMRS.
“Of course, we did not get it (assurance) in writing. (Therefore), we are purusing this matter (with the Centre as) thousands of jobs will be created (with the setting up of these EMRS),” he said.
The CM however said that stopping the movement of work may not be in the larger interest in the way the state is working with the Centre.
Earlier while replying during the question hour on the same issue, education minister Rakkam A Sangma said that the state reservation policy will not apply in the EMRS. “However, we will pursue the matter and we have written whether reservation policy can be applied but we are yet to get response from the Government of India.”
In his supplementary reply, the chief minister informed that he had also taken up with the union tribal affairs minister that the work for construction of the EMRS in the state is very slow.
He also suggested to the minister on the need to allow the state government and its agencies to implement the projects as it would be better especially in resolving local issues. At present, the projects are being implemented by two agencies selected by the central government through a transparent tendering process.
“Therefore, we will continue to pursue this matter and we hope for a positive result,” the CM said.
On the delay to complete construction of EMRS, the education minister said that implementation of the project in many blocks is very difficult due to land issue as per ministry guidelines, land should be donated free of cost.
“Land issue is there in many blocks. After review meeting, we could see certain schools are at advance stage and we expect to complete at the earliest,” he added.
The minister also informed that the government would soon write to the Centre for sanctioning of EMRS in all blocks of the state after Mawlai MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang sought to know the reason behind the three blocks – Mawlai, Sohiong and Mawpat – not being included in the project.
Marbaniang also said in Meghalaya not even one school has started its academic session.
Rakkam however said the building infrastructure for EMRS in Pahamsyiem and Samanda have been completed and government is waiting for the recruitment process to be completed.
He informed that the state government is planning to start the academic session from April 1, 2024.
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