SHILLONG:
All eyes are set on the May 31 meeting of the expert committee on the reservation policy and the roster system, comprising of members from all political parties, including the Voice of the People Party (VPP).
The meeting will be held at 2.30 pm at the conference hall of the Main Secretariat today.
The VPP had, on May 30, agreed to be part of the reconstituted committee following the government’s go-ahead to the roster committee to expand its scope and also discuss the reservation issue as was being demanded by the party.
However, the VPP said that the hunger strike by president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, which entered its ninth day on Wednesday, will continue till the end of the meeting. The hunger strike is intended to pressurise the government to immediately review the 1972 job reservation policy of the state.
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VPP Mawlai MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang said that the party will maintain a firm stand on reservation policy even though the government has called the party for talks. He said that the hunger strike of Basaiawmoit will continue till the end of the meeting scheduled to be held on Wednesday. The hunger strike will also continue if talks fail.
Addressing a huge gathering at the Additional Secretariat parking lot on Tuesday, Basaiawmoit said, “To get what we have been demanding for and that the government should agree to review the reservation policy, otherwise I will not leave this place. I will continue my hunger strike.”
He added that they have a vision to rebuild and transform the state as it has been walking blindly for 51 years.
The committee headed by Minister in-charge Law Ampareen Lyngdoh has been asked to finalise the implementation of the reservation roster and discuss the reservation policy and submit its recommendation to the government within one month.
The government’s decision to include discussion of the reservation policy was after the VPP had refused to be part of the committee on roster system constituted earlier.
“It doesn’t mean just because the government has invited us for talks on reservation policy we will wrap up this protest and go back home, no, but we will wait for the outcome of the meeting,” Basaiawmoit said while adding that the indefinite hunger strike will continue if the outcome of the meeting is not satisfactory.
Urging the Hynniewtrep people to stand united on this issue, the VPP chief said, “I will not allow negative forces to mislead the people and any attempt to divide us or to the extent of spoiling this movement. We should get what we demanded and that is to review the reservation policy.”
Further, the VPP chief also asked the people, who are supporting the demand for reviewing the job reservation policy, not to take the path of violence.
Chairperson of the committee, Ampareen Lyngdoh had said, “I am pleased to announce that the government has accepted the recommendation of the committee on roster reservation and has been pleased to extend the terms of reference of our committee to also include a discussion on the state’s job reservation policy.”
She said the government has also decided to strengthen of the committee and asked all political parties to co-opt two more members from individual political parties.
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The 12-member committee will be headed by Minister in-charge Law Ampareen Lyngdoh.
The members include Zenith M Sangma (AITC), HM Shangpliang (BJP), Augustine Marak (GNC), KP Pangniang (HSPDP), Ronnie V Lyngdoh (INC), Pyndapborthiaw Sabon (KHNAM), Dr W Kharlukhi (NPP), Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar (UDP), Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit (VPP), Chief Secretary DP Wahlang and Commissioner & Secretary in-charge Personnel & AR (B) as member secretary.