Shillong, Dec 13: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Monday met Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in connection with the notification issued by the State government barring employees including teachers, lecturers, professors etc., for holding office of any political organization or local bodies.
Speaking to media personnel at CM’s Office, VPP president Ardent Basaiawmoit said they have expressed their shock, dismay and anguish against the decision of the government to bar teachers, lecturers and professors from holding office of political organization and local bodies. “We have reminded the Chief Minister about the constructive and active role of members of the teaching community, especially in the preceding years of statehood and also during the Hill State movement… they have contributed and have made an immense contribution to the overall and growth of the state. And the state have produced many stalwarts from the teaching fraternity,” said Basaiawmoit.
He stated that leaders like Prof G.G. Swell (who was instrumental for the establishment of NEHU in Shillong), Prof M.N. Majaw (who brought about the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971- one of the finest legislations the Meghalaya State Legislative Assembly has ever enacted), Hoover Hynniewta (an eloquent Member of the 2nd Lok Sabha), Prof R.S. Lyngdoh (the first Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly), Prof Alexander Warjri, Prof Korbar Sing, Prof B. Pakem, Dr. B.R. Kharlukhi, Prof P.G. Marbaniang and others have contributed immensely to the State.
Informing that that the qualifications and service conditions of teachers in universities and colleges in India are governed by the regulations notified by the University Grants Commission (UGC) from time to time, he said, “Though the state government has the power to legislate on education, yet they should be framed in conformity to the UGC Regulations. In case of repugnancy between the central law/rule and the state law/rule, the state law/rule stands invalid to the extent of such repugnancy… So, therefore, the step taken by the government is very much unconstitutional.”
VPP president further stated that in May 2019 the UGC made a decision that those teachers in Universities and Colleges who are elected as Members of Parliament or Members of State Legislature can continue their teaching duties while at the same time execute the functions as MPs and MLAs without the necessity of taking any kind of leave if they so desire. Even when taking leave, there should not be any break in their services.
On the query if any ultimatum has been given by the VPP on the issue, Ardent said, “The Government has assured that it will look into the matter, but from our (VPP) side, we will wait for some time, but we will not stop till this notification is withdrawn.”
“It has been well established by the Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court in WA. No. 14 of 2001, dated 07-12-2005 that employees in government aided educational institution are not government employees… it is such an irony, the state government always endorse this order that employees in government aided institutions are not government employees and that they are the employees of private managements. When it comes to the benefits of the teachers, the government always say that they are not government employees, but now they issue this notification bearing lecturers, professors, and teachers as if they are government employees. It’s unfortunate that the Government came out with such kind of notifications. Instead the government should encourage teachers to actively participate in politics because we need intellectual people to govern the state. We need people with vision, we need people with vast knowledge. So we will get these type of people from the teaching community,” remarked Basaiawmoit.
Ardent also urged the Government to immediately withdraw the order which is arbitrary and contrary to the provisions of the Indian Constitution and other legal provisions.
