GUWAHATI, Aug 8 - Finally, the State Government has conceded to the popular demand for keeping intact the independent identity of the 91-year-old Directorate of Historical and Antiquarian Studies. The closure of the Directorate was recommended by the 7th Assam Pay and Productivity Pay Commission.
Announcing this, the Higher Education (Technical) Department of the State today said in a letter (No ATE, 18/2005/Pt/20) to the Commissioner and Secretary of the Administrative Reforms and Training Department of the State, that it had carefully analysed the recommendation of the 7th Pay and Productivity Commission in its para 4.1 (c) that the above Directorate be closed and their works be entrusted to the Department concerned, that is, the Higher Education Department.
After carefully analyzing the above recommendation, the Higher Education Department found that the Directorate of Historical and Antiquarian studies plays a significant role for preserving the ancient manuscripts, documents, rare books, etc., of the region and the basic objectives of this Directorate is to collect historical materials and preserve them for further research.
Besides, this Directorate plays a valuable role like a bridge between the past heritage of the region and the culture of the present society.
�Considering the gravity of the role of this Directorate, the Government in Higher Education Department approved that the Directorate may continue as it is,� said the letter, adding, �this has approval of Hon�ble Chief Minister.�
