MDA to continue pursuing with Centre for setting of CAU: CM

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 9, 2021

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the state government would continue to pursue with the Centre for the setting up of the state’s own Central Agricultural University (CAU).

“I assure that we will continue to pursue this (issue) as done in the past also…we are committed to this cause as this means alot to the people of the state,” Sangma said.

He was replying to a query raised by opposition Congress legislator from East Shillong, Ampareen Lyngdoh in the Assembly on Tuesday. 

The chief minister also informed that the state government had already written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as the Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar requesting for their intervention into the matter.

“The issue has been pending from 2008. We have been pursuing and we have got the reply from the Centre that it is examining the matter,” he said. 

He also informed that there is need for CAU to be established by an act of parliament and that it is considered of national interest. 

According to him, as of now Rs 45.44 crore was given for infrastructure development of CAU at Kyrdemkulai, Ri Bhoi district. 

He said Rs 5.49 crore was released to the deputy commissioner for land acquisition in 2010 – 2012. 

Asked whether the land was used for its designated purpose, the chief minister however said that the government of India has utilized the said gifted for setting up of a constituent College of Agriculture (COA) affiliated to the existing Central Agriculture University, Imphal.

He said the government of Meghalaya on February 7, 2005 has handed over MeECLland measuring 18 acres more or less located at Umktieh (Umiam) to the CAU, Imphal for setting up of a constituent College of Post Graduate Studies for Agricultural Sciences (CPGS).