SHILLONG: Leaders of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) met with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in Shillong today to follow up on five core demands previously submitted to the state government.
Briefing reporters, KSU President Raymond Kharjana stated that the meeting focused on pressing issues, which include the demand to scrap the public hearing for Shree Cement Ltd, recruitments at NEIGRIMHS, the implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), job recruitments through the MPSC and DSC, and the enforcement of the Migrant Workmen Act.
He noted that while some matters are beginning to take shape, others require further discussion, highlighting the MRSSA and NEIGRIMHS as key focal points of the dialogue.
Addressing the situation at NEIGRIHMS, where the union has engaged in discussions for nearly a year, Kharjana said the Chief Minister assured that the KSU would soon get an opportunity to meet the Union Health Minister to voice their concerns.
Additionally, the Chief Minister promised to raise these apprehensions during the NEIGRIMHS Governing Body meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
Regarding the MRSSA, the state government conveyed that it is currently in the process of implementing the act, while the KSU demanded access to the final Detailed Project Report (DPR) to clearly understand the progress and trajectory of the initiative.
Concerning the Fact Finding Committee established in Shillong, the union raised concerns that holding public hearings in locations far from the affected areas could discourage public participation due to heavy travel and food expenses, urging the committee to visit the ground level directly to listen and grasp the reality.
The union also questioned recruitment protocols, noting the government’s announcement that personal interviews for Grade C posts will be discontinued starting April 1, 2027.
Although the government has accepted several of the union’s suggestions to reform the MPSC and DSC and is currently drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the KSU emphasized the need to fully clean up and strictly implement these recommendations to ensure transparent and unblemished recruitments.
Concluding his remarks, the KSU President asserted that it is too early to determine whether the meeting was fruitful, as the union needs to witness concrete government actions first, stressing that mere talks hold no meaning unless visible results strengthen public trust.
He explicitly warned that if these demands yield no tangible outcome and remain confined to empty promises, the union will be left with no option but to resort to stern measures.
(4FrontMedia news)
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