Cabinet meet
SHILLONG: The State Cabinet has endorsed the decision of the state education department to dissolve the controversial CMJ University in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling.
“We have been instructed by the apex court to take a decision on the university. We had earlier decided to dissolve the university since the Government is not satisfied with its clarification,” Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Education department Prof RC Laloo told newsmen after a meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday.
He said that the Cabinet endorsed the decision for dissolution of the university.
Earlier on March 31 last, the State Education department had decided to dissolve the university indicating that the degrees awarded by the University had now become null and void.
The immediate effect of the decision is that those who had been appointed as teachers and other professionals in Meghalaya and elsewhere in the country on the basis of the degrees awarded by CMJ University will become ineligible for the jobs they are doing.
There was a hearing by the education department recently as per the direction of Supreme Court for the students who procured the degrees from CMJ University.
It was based on the Supreme Court order that the Deputy Director of Higher and Technical Education had issued a notice to the students, who had submitted their representation regarding validation of degrees from CMJ University.
Special Court Bill: Meanwhile, to speed up the disposal of cases, the Cabinet has approved the Meghalaya Special Court Bill, 2015.
“We are going to table the bill in the Assembly starting from Friday,” Sangma said.
Loan to power project: In another decision, the Cabinet approved the State Government as guarantor of a Rs 145-crore loan from the Power Finance Commission to Myntdu Leshka Hydel Electricity Project (MLHEP).
Informing this Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that the earlier loan which was availed by MeECL was based on the asset. Beyond the amount availed earlier, he said that the amount of Rs 145 crore would require the guarantee of the Government so that the loan can be made available to the MeECL to complete the project.
Hike on minimum wages: Meanwhile, Labour Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh informed that the Cabinet also decided to approve the rate of minimum wages in the State with effect from June 1, 2014. As per the new rate, Lyngdoh informed that the minimum wages for various categories are Rs 160 for unskilled labourers, Rs 170 for semi-skilled labourers, Rs 180 for skilled labourers and Rs 200 for highly skilled labourerers. She also informed that the Cabinet also decided to include the consumer price index link with variable dearness allowance so that the minimum wages can be revised upward every six months.
