Shillong: The Meghalaya government backtracked on a deal to provide an interest-free loan to the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya. The institution requested Rs 233 crore to help run the PA Sangma International Medical College and Hospital.
State officials originally discussed this loan to help the private university build its super-specialty unit. In return, the university agreed to reserve 40 of its 150 MBBS seats for students from Meghalaya. They also agreed to offer those students reduced tuition rates.
USTM named the facility after the late P.A. Sangma, father of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, to honor his commitment to local education. Despite the broken promise, the school continues to reserve the seats for locals.
Cabinet Minister Wailadmiki Shylla confirmed the rejection. He pointed to the state's tight budget as the primary driver for the decision. "We also have many other important things to concentrate on or to invest in, so since USTM is a private institution, the government may have thought they will be able to get the fund from other sources," Shylla said.
The lack of funding is taking a toll. USTM now relies on bank loans and tuition income to keep the hospital running. Planned infrastructure projects have slowed down as a direct result of the government's pullout.
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