The entire process surrounding what turned into a total debacle regarding the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) should have been dealt with earlier and better by the state government, the opposition Trinamool Congress (TMC) said today.
Meghalaya had received an exemption for 2023 from CUET and thus had extra time to prepare to hold it this year. However, it was still a fiasco, with many students unable to register, many registering but failing to sit the exams and many missing at least one due to inordinate delays at the NEHU testing centre. After the stress and financial expense, the result is that Meghalaya applied for and received another year’s exemption from CUET.
Interestingly, Nagaland had sought and received exemption in April, leading many parties to wonder why the Meghalaya government failed to realise that the state was unready to hold the test.
TMC leader Richard Marak today expressed concern. While the exemption brings much-needed relief, it raises critical questions about the state government’s approach to central policies, he said.
“Why the delay? The NTA (National Testing Agency) has already profited from students, who had to bear the costs of transportation, lodging and food. This raises the question: why did our state government take so long to act?” he asked.
Marak also said that the state government must stop rubber-stamping central orders and start scrutinising them. “Not all policies are one-size-fits-all. Meghalaya, with its unique context and challenges, cannot be compared to metropolitan cities,” he said. “Why are we always playing catch-up? It’s time for our government to be proactive, ensuring that policies are relevant and beneficial to our state before implementing them. We urge the state government to adopt a more critical and proactive approach to central policies. Better late than never but Meghalaya deserves better.”
