Cotton College students set ultimatum for teachers

Guwahati, Aug 22 (UNI) The union society of the century-old Cotton College here today accused the teachers' association of throwing a spanner at the upgradation of facilities in this institution.

The students' body has set a ten-day deadline for clarifying the latter's stand.

Addressing a press meet here, Cotton College Union Society(CCUS) general secretary Samiran Baishya said, ''Going by the actions of the teachers' association, we have been forced to think that they are standing as the major block in the way of betterment of the college.

The Cotton College Teachers' Association(CCTA) had recently stated that the college was not ready for the deemed university status as yet, which was a long-standing demand of the College.

The CCTA had, however, earlier strongly supported the college's demand for the special status.

A Memorandum of Association, signed by all concerned parties, including the teachers, is a must for any college to present their case for deemed university status, a clause not met after the CCTA decision.

Pointing that the CCTA had done a volte-face on the issue, Mr Baishya said, ''They should clarify their stand and come out in the open with reasons for going back on their earlier support. They must also suggest an alternative for the upgradation of the facilities of the College.

The CCUS set a deadline of ten days for the CCTA to clarify their stand and announced of a mass signature campaign if the teachers' body failed to come up with any concrete reply.

''We will take up more public awareness programmes, if needed,'' he added.

Quoting a resignation letter from membership of the CCTA by senior professor Satyendra Kumar Choudhury for non-approval of the association's stand on the deemed university demand, Mr Baishya said, ''It clearly indicates that there is a divide between the teachers themselves.'' Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for prompt response to CCUS's meeting with him, the general secretary said the College had received a letter from the UGC on August 10, barely a month after the meeting, for certificates from the NAAC for taking up the case of granting Cotton College deemed university status.

The College had been awarded grade A by the NAAC.

The CCUS had also held talks with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi after the New Delhi visit and would also approach the Education Minister Ripun Bora.

Citing low admission percentage in various departments of the college, Mr Baishya said, ''We want better facilities, new courses and general development. The government can work out the modality, whether it is through deemed university status or bringing a legislation or some other manner.

UNI