Meghalaya Government Must Be Consulted in NEHU VC Appointments," Says Ampareen Lyngdoh

Correspondent

SHILLONG: Meghalaya cabinet minister and MDA government spokesperson, Ampareen Lyngdoh, has underscored the need for the central government to consult the state government on critical appointments, particularly the vice chancellor (VC) of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU). According to her, such collaboration is vital to avoid conflicts and ensure the university functions in an environment conducive to academic excellence.

Addressing reporters, Lyngdoh remarked, “It is very unfortunate. Perhaps it is important for the central government to always have a close consultation with the state government on matters of appointments, especially the VC. Because if you consult and take the suggestions of the state government, then you avoid a friction of this nature, and you are able to have the correct academic ambience in the entire university.”

Lyngdoh expressed optimism that the two-member committee formed by the Ministry of Education would present robust recommendations to address longstanding concerns raised by the student community. She stated, “I am sure that students have been tolerating this imbalance for a very long time, and I’m sure that the students have been pushed into this crisis because of the tolerance of so many weeks, months, and maybe years.”

The minister appealed to the visiting committee from the Ministry to ensure that Meghalaya’s unique context is considered in VC appointments. “I appeal to all concerned stakeholders, especially the visiting team that has come with the authority from the ministry to go back and come up with a final decision and the need to include the state in matters of selection of VC to ensure whenever a candidate is selected, they should be suitable to come to a place like the state of Meghalaya, which is very different and unique from other states,” she added.

Highlighting the state’s uniqueness, Lyngdoh stated, “The Government of India must recognize that the people of Meghalaya, particularly the student community, have unique characteristics that need to be respected.”

On the issue of local representation, Lyngdoh advocated for appointing qualified individuals from the local community to leadership positions. “It would be appropriate to allow local communities, particularly those with the required qualifications, to assume positions that are most suitable for the people of our state,” she noted.

She further pointed out that the establishment of institutions like NEHU in states is intended to benefit the host state. “The Central Government set up these institutions in various states not to benefit themselves but to benefit the beneficial state; they have to set this in order. They have to try and correct the anomalies that are being alleged. I am not privy to the depth of truths in any of the allegations because we are dislocated from NEHU,” she said.

“It is a central university that is managed by the centre, but the state government is watching closely and has been party to agreeing to the setting up of the NEHU in our own state. We should be privileged to decision-making on a lot of these matters that affect us,” Lyngdoh emphasized.      Expressing confidence in a resolution, Lyngdoh commended the proactive efforts of the Chief Minister and Education Minister. “I hope that it will be resolved. I am happy that the chief minister and the education minister are well seized of this problem and have both put pressure on the Government of India to take necessary action to resolve this matter at the earliest and allow a smooth functioning of the university,” she stated.

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