Shillong, Aug 25: Finance Minister today tore into VPP’s 10-point charter in the House with facts.
He said 36-acre Lum Pongdeng Island is totally out of the Umiam 5-Star Hotel project. After Ri-Bhoi headmen’s plea, it was withdrawn from the concession pact with Umiam Hotels Pvt Ltd. Permanent construction was banned by Empowered Group on July 8, 2025 itself, much before tender. Tender on Oct 23 and Agreement on Feb 25 carry that ban. Only temporary, dismantlable eco-structures allowed with strict green safeguards. Pollution Board nod also bans permanent structure and is only preliminary. Land remains with Govt, only leased for jobs. No privatisation.
On teachers, he said MTET is not State policy, but Supreme Court law dated Sept 1, 2025, under RTE Act. It mandates teachers of Class 1-8 with over five years left to clear TET by Aug 31, 2028. Those with less than five years are exempt. Govt has taken up issue with Union Education Minister, filed review in SC and is holding frequent MTET besides making category-wise database so order is not applied mechanically.
On Private Colleges Act, he said it protects staff, secures salaries via Aided Fund and audit.
On MPSC, he said its independence is under Article 316, removable only under Article 317 and under Lokayukta scanner. Reforms panel under ex-UPSC Chairman Prof David Syiemlieh was set up in Nov 2024. Now syllabus and process are pre-declared, OMR is tamper-proof, answer keys published, marks of all stages on website.
