Tura, Oct 24: The GSU from Chokpot in South Garo Hills has raised the issue of the long pending construction of the Chokpot Degree College building at Daji Teksragre, which was officially sanctioned by the Government of Meghalaya in the year 2023 and urged that steps be taken for its early completion.
“More than two years have passed since the sanctioning of this important educational project, yet the construction work has barely reached 20% completion. This slow pace of progress has caused great distress and disappointment among the students and the general public of Chokpot.Despite several written complaints, memorandums, and verbal appeals made by our Union to the Education Minister and the Education Department of Meghalaya, there has been no visible improvement or response from the authorities concerned,” the union said.
According to the union, Rakkam A. Sangma, who was the Education Minister at the time along with local MLA, Sengchim N. Sangma, personally visited the construction site a few years ago to assess the situation, despite which, there still has been no follow-up action from the Government or the contractor involved. It is deeply unfortunate that such a crucial project meant for the upliftment of the students of Chokpot region has been left incomplete and neglected for years, it added.
Reminding that Chokpot currently has only one degree college catering to students from numerous surrounding villages, the union said due to the delay in construction and lack of proper college infrastructure, the students are now compelled to attend classes at the Chokpot Higher Secondary School, which is already overcrowded and lack adequate classroom space, laboratories, furniture, and other essential academic facilities. This situation has seriously affected the quality of education and the morale of both students and teachers, it added.
Pointing out that the issue has been raised by it a number of times in the past through submission of representations and meetings with officials and public representatives, it urged concerned authorities to take steps to ensure its completion at the earliest.
