College status to proposed agri varsity irks KSU

NONGPOH: The Khasi Students’ Union on Monday expressed shock and concern after it came to know that the proposed Central Agricultural University (CAU) at Kyrdemkulai in Ri Bhoi was being converted into College of Agriculture under CAU, Imphal.
Members of the union led by KSU North Khasi Hills District unit Ferdynald Kharkamni along with members of the education cell of the union on Monday conducted an inspection at Kyrdemkulai where the said university was supposed to be set up.
They found out that the signboard displayed at the site mentioned ‘College of Agriculture’ and not ‘Central Agricultural University’. The KSU leaders met the Dean of CoA, Dr UK Behera.
Behera told them that there is no proposal on the part of the state government to convert this college into a university, which came as “a shock” to the union leaders.
Speaking to media persons, Kharkamni said KSU was concerned as this was done clandestinely by some officials of the CAU.
“The land given by the government measuring 240 acres at Kyrdemkulai was meant for setting up of a university and not a college,” Kharkamni said, adding that for a college only 10 acres of land would have been enough.
“The union will not accept this move,” he added.
The KSU leaders will meet the education minister soon to discuss the issue.