Guwahati, April 19: The All Assam Law Students' Union today alleged that the law colleges are neglected by the state government and demanded that 29 semi-government and private law colleges in the state be provincialised and financial aid provided to them till the process is completed.

Bishnuram Medhi Law College, formerly Old Earle Law College, established in 1914, is the only government law college in the state. Around 29 other law colleges in the state are either semi-government or private institutions running without any financial aid from the government.

On the occasion of its first foundation day, the students' union announced instituting an award in memory of former chief minister and advocate Bishnuram Medhiand announced the name of Mukundakam Sarma, a former Supreme Court judge, as the recipient of the award for this year.

The president of the students' union, Sanjib Bora, said: "Law as a profession absorbs 20 per cent of unemployed youths who opt for self-employment without any assistance from the government, but they are not appreciated. Till the law colleges are provincialised, we demand an amount of Rs 5 lakh per annum. In addition to that, a stipend of Rs 5,000 should be paid to law graduates for three years as it takes around that time for a lawyer to be established independently."

"We would like to draw the attention of the people and the government to a matter of public concern. Although the Assam Health Act was passed in 2013, paan shops are selling gutkha and zarda with impunity at public places, even near educational institutions," Bora said.

"We are aware of the health risks associated, including cancer, that is caused by these items. In a survey conducted by us, we estimated that business worth Rs 5 crore is being conducted by shops along the stretch from Paltan Bazar to Basistha. To escape prosecution, godowns are located in nearby Meghalaya from where those items are distributed. The administration should take strict steps to stop this menace," he added.