Conceding to the demand of the All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU), Nagaland minister for higher and technical education Imna Along has assured to arrange additional MBBS and BDS seats for the students of the state from next academic session.
He also stated he would ask for special quota for Nagaland in these courses. The minister gave the assurance during a meeting with ANCSU leaders in his residence in Kohima on Friday, an ANCSU release said on Saturday.
The minister explained to the college students about the initiatives taken by the higher and technical department and the state government with regard to the representation submitted by the union seeking additional MBBS and BDS seats.
Taking strong exception to the department’s and the government’s failure to meet the needs of aspiring MBBS and BDS students in the past, the ANCSU apprised the minister about acquiring the additional seats under North Eastern Council.
The union also brought to the notice of the minister about land encroachment in Kohima Science College, post-matric scholarship and other related matters concerning the student community.
Also read: Students’ body seeks more MBBS, BDS seats for Nagaland
The minister, on his part, apprised the students about the government’s initiatives such as introduction of bio-metric attendance of staff in colleges by this year and students by next year, library facility, encyclopaedia access in all subjects, sponsorship for 50 IAS aspiring students etc.
In a letter to Nagaland minister for health and family welfare S. Pangnyu Phom on June 2, the ANCSU pointed out that the Centre has enhanced the seats for undergoing MBBS and BDS courses all over India, but Nagaland could avail very limited seats over the years for these courses.
During the past years, it stated, the state government has failed to initiate any step for acquiring additional seats for the students of the state for the courses.