Source: The Sangai Express / Addie Chiphang
Ukhrul, November 05 2010:
Normal functioning of Pettigrew College in Ukhrul district has come to a full stop for the last couple of days following the cease work strike launched by the part-time lecturers who are demanding regularisation of their services and enhancement of their enumerations as per the revised UGC scale.
As a matter of fact, the second oldest college in Manipur has always remained crippled due to lack of Government attention to the need for infrastructural development in the college.
Established in 1965, Pettigrew College, is also the only Government college in Ukhrul district.
However, despite its respectable past, the State Government continues to neglect this college and the present state of the institution is the living proof.
Talking to The Sangai Express in this connection, general secretary of Pettigrew College Students union (PCSU) As Permina pointed out that one of the main problems being faced by the students at the moment is the ongoing indefinite cease work strike by the part-time lecturers who are demanding regularization of their services and enhancement of their remuneration as per the revised UGC scale.
Prolonged cease work strike of the part-time lecturers has affected regular classes in the college for the last 3 weeks, he added.
Permina further informed that as the service of the part-time lecturers is indispensable for the conduct of regular classes in the college, the student union had fervently appealed to the authorities concerned to look into the matter and solve the problem at the earliest.
But the Government and its related authorities have not done anything.
With visible concern he said that if the Govt continues to remain indifferent and the ongoing cease work strike of the part-time lecturers prolongs any further, the academic calendar of the college would be affected and the career of the student jeopardized, Permina warned that the students may have no option but to launch intense agitation if the current deadlock continues.
Apart from the present turmoil doing the round the college, when The Sangai Express visited, it was observed that the structure of some college buildings are yet to be completed although the construction work have started long ago.
There is also no separate facilities for drinking water for girls and boys hostels and the water pipe is also being shared with the people of the surrounding area.
It was also seen that there is no electricity in both the hostels.
Moreover, the condition of the approach road of the college from the main road is pitiful, to say the least.
Some college staff, who do not want to be named, alleged that the fund sanctioned for the development of the said approach road had been pocketed by the contractor.
On the other hand, PCSU has expressed his gratitude to Assistant Commissioner of Ukhrul Armstrong Pame for contributing ten (10) quintal of rice to the hostellers last week and also assuring to provide Kerosene in the days to come.