Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan today assured to take up the issue of implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya with the centre.
The union minister gave the assurance the Khasi Students Union (KSU) who had gathered at the entrance of NEHU, where he was to address the 27th Convocation of the university.
Pradhan faced slogan shouting by the pro-Inner Line Permit protesters at the entrance of the university. He disembarked from his vehicle, gave a patient hearing to the protesters and assured that he will take back their message to Delhi.
During a brief conversation, KSU leader, Pynkmenlang Sanmiet questioned the union minister about the fact that Manipur got ILP overnight as soon as the BJP came into power there, whereas in Meghalaya, the demand has been ignored by the central government.
“The Centre under the leadership of the BJP has not even responded to the resolution passed by the Legislative Assembly to date. We are protesting here to voice our demands for the implementation of ILP,” he said.
Content with the brief conversation they had, Sanmiet said they are hopeful that it will not be an empty assurance.
“New age politicians should learn from the humility and sincerity of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan ji. Instead of running away from the agitating crowds he got down and listened to them,” Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said applauding Pradhan in his convocation speech.
Meanwhile, the All NEHU Workers Union (ANWU) too held protest placards to air their grievances to the visiting union minister.
The union is demanding regularisation of the casual workers. Union president, Napoleon Mawphniang said many casual workers working for over 20-30 years in the university have not been regularised and have no entitlements. He also alleged that there are casual workers, backed by officers in NEHU have been regularised within 5-10 years and some within three years.
He informed that the union had submitted the demand to the vice chancellor last month and set 30 days time, which ends on May 29, for the university to act.
“Once the deadline ends we will use all the democratic steps guaranteed by the Constitution of India to secure our rights,” he said.
