Shillong, June 24: Mr. Cherian Momin Social Activist Walbakgre Tura, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya today met the Chief Minister Mr. Conrad K Sangma and submitted Memorandum on the alleged irregularities, Manipulations, and Violations in the absorption of Teachers under the People’s College Scheme at Mendipathar College, North Garo Hills District.
In the memorandum Mr. Cherian stated that he submit this Memorandum to draw the immediate and undivided attention to a matter of grave public interest. This issue, relating to the absorption of teaching faculty at Mendipathar College under the People’s College Grant-in-Aid Scheme, strikes at the very root of equitable governance, educational justice, and institutional transparency in the State of Meghalaya.
It is not merely a local grievance or an isolated case of procedural oversight, that it represents a systemic breach of public trust, a betrayal of institutional integrity, and a distressing precedent of favouritism which, if not addressed urgently and adequately, threatens to undermine the spirit and purpose of government-aided higher education in our state.
Mendipathar College, situated in the remote but aspiring district of North Garo Hills, was one among the few institutions privileged to be included under the People’s College Scheme initiated by the Government of Meghalaya.
As per Notification No. EDN.162/2022/44 dated 23rd December 2022, followed by Notification No. EDN.162/2022/133 dated 6th September 2023, the Government sanctioned twenty-four posts both teaching and non-teachingto be filled in accordance with a structured, merit-based, and transparent recruitment process.
These notifications, issued by the Education Department under the authority of the Governor of Meghalaya, laid down strict conditions regarding the eligibility, seniority, recruitment methods, and approval mechanisms that had to be followed by all concerned Governing Bodies and institutions seeking to benefit from this scheme.
These conditions, far from being mere administrative formalities, were rooted in sound public policy and legal precedent. They were introduced to ensure that appointments to public grant-in-aid positions reflect competence, impartiality, and integrity.
The directives categorically stated that only those who had been already recruited before the date of notification and who fulfilled the requisite educational qualifications—including a Master’s Degree with 55% marks and preferably NET or PhD—would be eligible for absorption.
Further, all appointments were to be ratified by the Governing Body of the concerned college, with approval granted by the Government only after verification of procedural and academic compliance. However, it is deeply unfortunate and alarming that these conditions appear to have been flagrantly disregarded in the case of Mendipathar College.
The recent approval of seventeen individuals for absorption under the People’s College Scheme by the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education, via Office Order No. CE/GA/AP/PC121/2022/371-A dated 6th June 2025, was carried out on the basis of a list submitted by the College Principal and purportedly approved by the Governing Body.
Upon closer inspection, this process has come under severe and credible allegations of manipulation, procedural fraud, and nepotistic conduct. Evidence suggests that the so-called approval of the GB was neither deliberative nor democratically executed.
The GB meeting held on 21st February 2025 did not include any formal discussion or voting on the list of teachers to be absorbed under the Scheme. Instead, signatures of GB members were collected separately under ambiguous pretexts and without full disclosure of the purpose to fabricate the illusion of a consensus.
Several members of the Governing Body have come forward to state that they were unaware that their signatures were being used to validate a pre-decided list of candidates, most of whom were unknown to them or not discussed at any prior meeting.
Such acts not only erode the sanctity of institutional decision-making but also point towards a deliberate and premeditated abuse of the Governing Body’s authority. Of even greater concern is the composition of the final approved list itself.
Names of certain senior and qualified faculty members who were initially included in the resolution of the previous Governing Body dated 3rd January 2023 such as Shri Subrotho G. Marak were mysteriously omitted in the new list. In their place, candidates with lesser experience and tenuous eligibility were inserted without any transparent or justified basis.
It is noteworthy that Shri Rakban G. Momin, who replaced Shri Marak on the approved list, is reported to be a former student of the GB President and significantly junior in terms of service record.
This replacement, carried out without explanation or merit-based evaluation, amounts to professional discrimination and undermines the principle of seniority which was central to the government’s directive.
The case of Smt. Dingri. D. Shira further exemplifies the rot within the selection process. Her name appears in the list despite her appointment to the college only in August 2023 well after the date of notification in December 2022, which had explicitly set the eligibility cut-off. The fact that she is the daughter of the current GB President raises an unavoidable suspicion of nepotism, conflict of interest, and moral impropriety.
Her inclusion not only violates the notification terms but also discredits the legitimacy of the entire absorption process. Meanwhile, two senior candidates, Smt. Sengatchi K. Marak and Miss Chianchi M. Marak both of whom joined prior to Smt. Shira and are duly qualified were excluded without cause.
These omissions suggest a pattern of intentional favouritism that violates the principle of equal opportunity and fair play enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution of India. Such actions are not only procedurally irregular; they are patently unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court of India has repeatedly held that appointments to public posts even those in aided institutions must be conducted with fairness, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law.
Arbitrary exclusion, political influence, and personal favouritism in such appointments amount to a denial of equal opportunity in public employment and are liable to be struck down by judicial review.
Moreover, the Right to Education Act, 2009, mandates accountability and quality standards in educational governance, especially in institutions supported by public funds.
The fact that the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education acted upon the submission of Mendipathar College without verifying the authenticity of the GB resolution or conducting due diligence into the eligibility of each candidate is a serious lapse in administrative oversight.
It reflects not only a gap in monitoring and review mechanisms but also the danger of over-reliance on potentially compromised local authorities. While it may be argued that the Directorate acted in good faith, such faith cannot be allowed to override facts, rules, and fairness.
It is painful to see that the People’s College Scheme a visionary initiative by your Government aimed at bringing educational advancement to underserved regions—is being used as a vehicle for unethical practices. Institutions that were intended to serve the poor and marginalized are now becoming instruments of privilege for the few.
If such malpractices are allowed to continue unchecked, they will erode public faith in government schemes, demoralize deserving educators, and ultimately damage the future of higher education in Meghalaya.
The State’s commitment to quality education must be reflected not only in infrastructure or funding but in the integrity of its personnel policies and the transparency of its recruitment practices.
In view of these deeply troubling developments, the undersigned humbly appeals to your good office to take immediate and decisive action. There is an urgent need for an independent and impartial inquiry into the entire process of appointment and absorption under the People’s College Scheme at Mendipathar College.
A Special Committee comprising senior officials from the Education Department, the Meghalaya Public Service Commission, and neutral academic observers should be constituted to thoroughly examine the procedural validity, qualification records, and chronological service history of each candidate on the approved list.
This Committee must be empowered to recommend rectifications, suspensions, or even cancellation of appointments found to be in violation of law and government policy. Until such a review is complete, the current appointment order—Office No. CE/GA/AP/PC121/2022/371-A dated 6th June 2025—should be held in abeyance to prevent irreparable harm and further administrative injustice.
Moreover, the Government may consider issuing a circular requiring all colleges under the People’s College Scheme to submit notarized GB resolutions, detailed staff lists with joining dates and qualifications, and reservation rosters as part of a compulsory verification protocol before any future absorption orders are issued.
This will not only prevent a recurrence of such malpractices but also establish a culture of accountability across institutions receiving public funds. This Memorandum is submitted in the spirit of constructive engagement and as a call for institutional reform.
It is neither politically motivated nor driven by individual grievances. It is a principled stand in defense of ethical governance, equitable opportunity, and the sanctity of public service.
The students of Mendipathar College, the affected educators, and the larger community of Meghalaya deserve to know that their Government will act swiftly and fairly when confronted with injustice. Their aspirations for better education cannot be held hostage to corruption, manipulation, or power games.
The undersigned is willing to cooperate fully with any investigation that your Government may deem appropriate and is prepared to submit further evidence, witness statements, and supporting documents to assist in uncovering the truth.
It is hoped that the Chief Minister, known for his commitment to youth development and educational progress, will see this matter not only as an administrative aberration but as a moral imperative requiring immediate intervention. With deep respect and trust in the integrity of your leadership,
