New bill on March 2 after White Paper: Sarma

PROVINCIALIZATION OF EDUCATIOL INSTITUTIONS

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Feb 2: The Assam government will release a White Paper on the provincialisation of educatiol institutions in the State after tabling of State Budget in the Assembly. It will be followed by introduction of a new bill on provincialisation on March 2. This was stated by State Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on the floor of the House on Thursday.

Sarma informed that although the Provincialisation Act was passed in 2011, the clauses of nine Central Acts relating to the subject were overlooked. “This came to light when someone challenged the Provincialisation Act in Gauhati High Court, which in turn stated that the Act was passed without taking clauses of nine Central Acts on this subject into consideration. So, provincialisation is not an easy task for the State government,” said Sarma.

He said a committee under the chairmanship of the Additiol Advocate General has been constituted by the State government to look into the technicalities involved in the preparation of a comprehensive provincialisation Act. “The draft Act will be placed in the House after the State Budget to seek the views of members. The government will move accordingly as per suggestions given by MLAs,” he said.

The Education Minister further mentioned the fincial aspect appearing as hurdle to a comprehensive provincialisation Act. “As per the Provincialisation Act passed in 2011, the government needs to spend Rs 1,284 crore every year as salaries to teachers. But if we provincialise all educatiol institutions, we will need to spend an additiol amount Rs 1,700 crore per year. It’s a matter of concern for the State government,” said Sarma.

During Question Hour, Sarma said, “Under different State and Central schemes, close to 3,532 computer teachers are presently working on contract basis in different institutions across the State, and after June 30, 2017, their contract period will come to an end,” adding, “At this stage, I can’t say anything about whether their services will be continued  or not. But after the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission and submission of the draft provincialisation Act, I will be able to look into the computer teachers’ issue.”