Assam govt withdraws order on PRC, CM says PRC can’t protect rights of local people

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 10, 2024

Hours after withdrawal of a notice issued by the Directorate of Higher Education (DSE) regarding the Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) for appointment of assistant professors, librarians, and grade-III and grade-IV posts in PDUAM/GMC/Provincialised Colleges, Assam Chief Minister on Wednesday said that PRC cannot protect the rights of the local people, as PRC can be obtained if a person lives in Assam for three years.

Disbursing Rs 68.44 crore to 349 institutions under Phase I of Pragyan Bharti scheme at a function held at Janata Bhawan here, Sarma said that the state government has made Proficiency in Local Language mandatory for selection which according to him would protect of the rights and interests of the local people.

The state government on Wednesday withdrew a notice which has been issued without approval of the state government, by the Director of Higher Education (DSE) regarding the Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) for appointment of assistant professors, librarians, and grade-III and grade-IV posts in PDUAM/GMC/Provincialised Colleges of the state.

The notice requested the submission of proposals for appointments as per an enclosed checklist. The notice that was issued on July 4 garnered attention from the higher authorities.

Taking to X, Education Minister, Ranoj Pegu clarified that the notice was issued without the approval of the state government.

In his post, Pegu said: “The notice pertaining to Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) was issued by the Director of Higher Education without government approval. The DHE has been instructed to withdraw the Notice immediately.”

Earlier the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) strongly opposed the issuance of the notice saying that the move was against the interests of local people.

In a statement, AASU president Utpal Sarma and general secretary Sankar Jyoti Barua emphasized that thousands of eligible candidates are already present within the state and called for the immediate revocation of the order.

The student body expressed their discontent, stating that the state government’s decision undermines the interests of local residents. They highlighted the need for protections under the 6th Schedule of the Assam Accord, which aims to safeguard the rights of indigenous communities.