Imphal, December 17: Even though there is no sign of ending the ongoing agitation being launched by peeved hindi teachers, the State Government today announced necessary procedures being completed to appoint graduate and matriculate Hindi teachers on contract basis.

Informing the development to mediapersons today, Education Minister Francis Ngajokpa stated that State Govt has completed necessary procedures to implement Central Government's prescription for promotion of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking States.

In consonance with the Centre's 10th Plan preparation have been completed to appoint 86 Hindi graduate teachers and creation of 100 more matriculate posts on contract basis, the minister informed.

He also disclosed that names of 146 hindi teacher candidates selected through DPC conducted in 1999 under the 9th Plan had to be cancelled as the previous Government did not effect the appointments.

However, under the 10th Plan programme the Centre has approved fresh recruitment of 100 graduate tea- chers and same number of matriculate teachers for promotion of Hindi language in the State.

In compliance with the Centre's approval on the fresh appointments the State Government processed to fill up the allocated posts from amongst the 146 DPC successful candidates compared to which only 86 showed up during the screening of graduate teachers, contended the Minister.

Conveying to the news- persons of the State Cabinet subsequently deciding to appoint 86 candidates on contract basis, Francis further asserted that hectic efforts are on to fill the vacant posts by screening eligible candidates for which approval of the Centre is necessary.

Outrightly rejecting allegations from certain quar- ters of Minister concerned and department officials indulging in corrupt means in the appointment process, Francis said such charges have no foundation as the Government is trying to issue fresh notification on recruitment of 100 Hindi graduate teachers on contract basis.

The Minister, however, acknowledged that all out cooperation from different section of the society is needed to immunise Education Department from its present ailments.

Regarding rationalisation of teachers' posting, he pointed to 67 percent of the total teacher strength being female as the main impediment in successfully carrying out the proposed policy to ensure equal distribution of teachers throughout the State.

Another development spelt out by the Minister include plan to conduct class X and XII examinations in March month as done on the all India pattern and informed that preparation have been finalised to ensure availability of text books for all classes within December - ahead of the next academic session.

The Minister further informed of 15 higher secondary schools being downgraded to high school as student strength in these institutions were found to be less than 15.He also charged the previous Govt of affecting appointment of 348 part-time lecturers for higher secondary schools without any post with an additional appointment of 466 part-timers disproportionate to vacant posts taking a toil on the present Govt.on the fake appointment case, the Minister listed 222 teachers who ignored verification processes as 'suspects' on the matter for which respective DCs and ZEO were asked to lodge FIRs.

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