Shillong, Aug 27: Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit today raised concerns over the Meghalaya Private Colleges Promotion and Regulation Act 2025 and its impact on institutes of higher learning in the state.
Participating in the short duration discussion on the current state of education in Meghalaya, Basaiawmoit urged the government to keep the act in abeyance, citing concerns over regulatory duplication, institutional autonomy and unequal treatment of private colleges.
Basaiawmoit argued that provisions under Sections 3 and 4 of the Act introduce prior permission and detailed compliance requirements that could create a parallel regulatory framework as higher education institutions are already governed by regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and affiliating universities, such as North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
He also raised concerns over what he described as a retrospective regulatory burden on existing colleges. While Section 6 exempts existing institutions from prior permission, he said they are still required to submit detailed information within a prescribed period, failing which they could be deemed non-compliant.
According to Basaiawmoit, the act also gives the government extensive powers relating to institutional management, grants and withdrawal of aid, fee regulation, audits and inspections.
The Voice of the People Party (VPP) chief also questioned provisions that restrict access to civil courts and make government decisions final, arguing that these could weaken institutional safeguards and access to judicial remedies.
Basaiawmoit said the legislation raised concerns of unequal treatment because private colleges were being subjected to a detailed statutory regulatory framework, while government colleges continue to function largely under administrative rules and UGC norms without comparable legislation.
“This creates a situation of selective and unequal regulation,” he argued, calling for greater fairness and consistency across Meghalaya’s higher education system.
The Nongkrem MLA also questioned the government’s reported decision to transfer funds directly into parents’ bank accounts for purchasing books for students in government schools.
He said most children attending government schools come from economically weaker families and he questioned how the government would ensure that the funds are used for purchasing books. He also highlighted practical difficulties in rural areas, where there may be fewer bookshops.
Basaiawmoit further cited a recent notification issued by the Education Department through its Special Officer, which he said indicated that the department was under considerable financial pressure.
He referred to the government’s introduction of the Structured Pay Framework (SPF) and the decision to allow filling of vacancies under the state pay scale for the SPF up to 2027-28 subject to availability of funds.
Basaiawmoit contrasted the notification with the government’s claim that thousands of crores of rupees had been spent on education.
He argued that the notification suggested the government was effectively “giving with the left hand and taking back with the right hand”, as financial constraints were now affecting the filling of vacancies.
