GUWAHATI, July 17 � The Assam Assembly today passed the Rajiv Gandhi University of Cooperative Management Bill, 2010 by voice vote after AGP member Dr Alaka Sarma refused to amend her amendment to the Bill.
Moving an amendment, Dr Sarma said that the University should be named after former Chief Minister Sarat Chandra Sinha who was the pioneer of cooperative movement in the state.
Dr Sarma said that the people of Assam should learn to give due respect to the sons of the soil. She pointed out that there are hundreds of colleges and universities all over the country in name of Rajiv Gandhi. She also said that there are stadiums, central schemes and even airports all over the country in names of members of a particular family and there is no reason for naming the new university in the name of Rajiv Gandhi.
In reply, Minister, Cooperation, Bharat Chandra Narah said that the Government would set up a university in the name of Sarat Chandra Sinha. However, he admitted that the Government is yet to decide what university it would be. He also informed the House that the proposed Agriculture College in Dhubri would be named after the former Chief Minister and a Kalakshetra is being set up in Chapar in memory of Sarat Chandra Sinha.
However, Dr Sarma refused to withdraw her amendment, which was defeated by voice vote.
