Dispur, Raj Bhavan at loggerheads

DU court appointments spark fresh row

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, June 22: Assam seems to be heading for a Delhi-like turf war between the Governor and the State government.

The Congress-led Assam government today accused Governor PB Acharya of appointing RSS and BJP affiliated people as members of the Dibrugarh University court, who have made no contributions to society.

Press advisor to the Chief Minister Bharat rah said VHP Tripura unit's VHP general secretary Ramapada Jamatiya, who is an ITI pass out and works in the ONGC, has been appointed as a court member as an "educationist".

Another appointee Bandita Sashori is a graduate in political science and Assam unit vice president of Rastra Sevika Samity - the women wing of RSS. She has been shown as a "novelist".

Among the other members are Longshing Teron, president of the RSS' Babashi Kalyan Ashram, Ashim Dutta, RSS Assam unit vice president and Mas Deka, coorditor of the Northeast BJP unit.

Governor Acharya, the Chancellor of the university, had appointed twelve members of the DU court on March 30 last.

"These people have no special position in the society. Their only credential seems to be the RSS-BJP association. In keeping with the AASU's demand, the State government had revamped the governing bodies of over 200 educatiol institutions, removing political appointees and replacing them with eminent persons," rah said.

Forest minister Atuwa Munda said the Governor seems to be working for the interests of some particular political party. "On occasions, he is crossing his limits. He is also making public details of certain meetings which should not be disclosed," Munda, who had earlier faced the wrath of the Governor over rampant rhino killings in Kaziranga, said.

Senior minister Rakibul Hussain said "everybody should work within their limits".

"The Governor has a particular status and position. As a constitutiol head, he can monitor the functioning of the State government and can discuss issues with ministers and officials. But the government should not be criticized so openly," Hussain said.

The Congres will be staging a protest in front of Raj Bhavan tomorrow.