Odisha Higher Education Minister, Arun Sahoo’s announcement about the Ministry’s decision to abolish the practice of inducting local MLAs as president of governing bodies in government aided colleges has led to dissent among the MLAs of Odisha.
While one of his Cabinet colleagues of the Education Minister, Labour Minister Sukanta Kumar Singh on Friday opposed the move, Minister of State for Science and Technology, Ashok Chandra Panda supported the decision.
“I am not convinced by the Higher Education Minister’s statement. I do not understand the reason behind not keeping local MLAs or elected representatives in the governing bodies,” said Singh.
“The politicians may not made president of the governing body. But they should be in the managing committee at least as a member to supervise the developmental activities of the colleges,” he added.
Singh further said that, as the sitting MLAs are not able to attend the managing committee meetings frequently due to time constraint, they should be given the membership of the committee, but should not be kept out totally.
The Labour Minister said he would take up the matter with the Higher Education Minister.
On the other hand, supporting the decision, the Minister of state for Science & Technology said, “Whether part of the governing body or not, it is the responsibility of the local MLA to look after the development of the colleges in their jurisdiction. One should have an attitude for developing the colleges.”
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