Meghalaya Cabinet approves private medical institution ordinance

The ordinance will come into effect post-signing by the Hon'ble Governor of Meghalaya. Following this, the P.A. Sangma Medical College at the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya will begin to operate soon, an official release stated. The varsity authority and the construction of the medical college were embroiled in controversy after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the unscientific tree cutting at the campus of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, of being responsible for a huge flash flood in Guwahati. However, Conrad Sangma hailed the university's role in the education sector of Meghalaya. The Meghalaya Cabinet met at Resubelpara in North Garo Hills as part of the Cabinet on the 'move initiative'. An official statement mentioned that a regulatory committee will be notified and accordingly, fixation of fees, implementation of reservation policy, and allotment of seats as per the norms of the government and guided by the ruling of various Hon'ble Courts will be effective in a private medical college. Notably, the medical college was named after the Chief Minister's father, P. A. Sangma. Meanwhile, the state cabinet has also approved the rules to regulate rental houses, allotment of government quarters, and rental housing schemes for the employees of the government of Meghalaya. It will also enable the Housing Department to take charge of its assets, evaluate wherever necessary, and make necessary decisions regarding the creation of additional rooms and other infrastructure. Moreover, the government has also approved the upper age limit of 45 years, under which serving SSA teachers will be able to participate in the recruitment examinations advertised by the government of Meghalaya for LP, UP, or secondary and higher secondary schools. An official said that the Cabinet has also approved availing a loan from the Asian Development Bank for the implementation of the project - Support Human Capital Development in Meghalaya. He added that 90 percent of the loan amount will be sanctioned as a grant to the state, which will be repaid by the Centre, while 10 percent of the loan amount will be borne by the state.