Newmai News Network
Senapati | July 23
The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) submitted a representation today to the Chief Minister of Manipur and the Chairman of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) urging prompt implementation of reservation norms in admissions to central institutes operating in Manipur, as per the Central Institutes (Reservations in Admission) Amendment Act, 2012 passed by Parliament.
A statement from the Naga student body today confirmed that these norms had been upheld by rulings from the Supreme Court and the Manipur High Court.
ANSAM also raised concerns with the Vice-Chancellor of the National Sports University (NSU) Manipur regarding "irregularities" in the recent admission result declaration for the academic session 2024-2025, which contradicted existing reservation norms. They requested rectification of these discrepancies and set an ultimatum for resolution by July 31, 2024, emphasizing adherence to the rule of law and halting admissions until the issue is resolved.
Meanwhile, ANSAM's memorandum highlighted the urgency for the Chief Minister and the HAC Chairman to intervene and take necessary actions regarding the 2012 Amendment Act.
According to the association, the 2012 Amendment Act mandates reservation percentages for various categories in society for admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Manipur and the other six North-East states of India: 2% for SC, 31% for ST, and 17% for OBC.
However, ANSAM alleged that NSU Imphal, a central university under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, violated these reservation norms in its admission notification, despite reminders to adhere strictly to the reservation policy as per the 2012 Amendment Act.
The memorandum pointed out that the admission result declaration for the 2024-2025 session allocated 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, and 27% for OBC, thus violating the actual reservation norms.
ANSAM criticized NSU's actions as an "injudicious modus operandi" that deprived tribal rights through a narrow interpretation and exploitation of ST quotas in the state.
It added, "Such deliberate acts by the competent authorities in the University with malafide intentions are unfortunate and inappropriate.”
ANSAM expressed serious concern about the “intentional manipulation” and procrastination by NSU and the Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal.
Accordingly, ANSAM emphasized that it would not accept anything less than strict adherence to the actual reservation policy mandated by the Parliament Act for admissions to various courses in central universities.
ANSAM also appealed to the Chief Minister of Manipur for timely intervention to ensure positive implementation of the 2012 Amendment Act during the admission processes for NSU, CAU Imphal, and other central universities operating in the state.
If there is no positive response, ANSAM cautioned that the association and its members would be compelled to pursue appropriate measures to ensure justice is served, with the government being accountable for any adverse outcomes resulting from protests.
