Shillong Feb 14: Union Minister for Human Resources Development, Ramesh Pokhriyal inaugurated education centres including a language lab and a secondary school in Meghalaya on Friday.

The visit of the Union Minister was also marred by shouting of slogans and raising of placards from pro-ILP groups demanding the implementation of ILP in the state.

There has been a delay by the Centre to call the state delegation to discuss the issue and take a final decision.

Pohkhriyal inaugurated the Anath Ashram Secondary School, Language Lab under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan’ (Rusa) and three incubation centres within the campus of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) at Mawlai Umshing.

From Shillong, he also did the e-inauguration of programmes and incubation centres including one agri business clinic at NEHU Tura campus.

Meghalaya Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui, NEHU vice-chancellor, S. K. Srivastava, senior officials of the state government and heads of different higher education institutes of Meghalaya attended the function.

Pokhriyal appreciated NEHU for introducing programmes and incubation centres especially the agri business clinic at Tura campus.

He said that these centres will be helpful for Meghalaya in both education and agriculture sectors.

He also urged NEHU, being a premier institute of higher education in the state, to take the leadership in educational, economic and social development of Meghalaya.

Stating that people in the North Eastern region are very honest and the youths are very talented, Pohkhriyal said that the government has been working to ensure that talented youths get proper training through skill development programmes.

The Union Minister also highlighted various initiatives taken by the Union government for student and teacher training, skill development, entrepreneurship through schemes and programmes like DIKSHA, Skill India, Start Up, Make in India, USTTAD among others.

He hoped to see Indian products produced by Indian entrepreneurs in all over the world and according to him, the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative can make this possible.

He also emphasized on promotion of local products, strengthen local economy in order to reach the highest peak of development.

The Union minister also presented appreciation certificate and memento to Ms. Meaidabahun Majaw, a class IV student from Shillong, who has developed one anti-bullying mobile application.

Rymbui, Srivastava also spoke on the occasion.

From NEHU, Pohkhriyal visited the temporary campus of NIT at Laitumkhrah and interacted with the officials.

The Union Minister was greeted with placards and slogans demanding the implementation of ILP when he visited NEHU and after he came out of NIT.