By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 4: Meghalaya and Assam have agreed to constitute a joint committee to address the concerns raised by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM).
The development comes in the wake of Sarma making a controversial remark suggesting that graduates from USTM might be barred from appearing in recruitment exams for state government jobs in Assam.
In response, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma stated that he and Sarma have verbally agreed to set up a joint committee, comprising officials from both states, to examine all concerns raised by Assam and others.
“Both the chief secretaries are in touch to formalise the formation of this committee, and all these concerns will be taken up. We are hopeful that we will be able to resolve most of the issues. After my discussion, we have received the official communication and we are hopeful within weeks’ time this committee should be up,” Conrad said.
Located in the 9th Mile area of Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya, on the outskirts of Guwahati, USTM has been a point of contention.
The Assam chief minister has also blamed the university for contributing to the massive flooding in Guwahati and criticised its infrastructure, likening the gates with three domes to “Mecca-like” structures and accusing such institutions of “destroying the education system”.
