SHILLONG:
Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) MLA Adelbert Nongrum’s resolution on change in reservation policy was defeated by voice vote in the state assembly on Tuesday.
Nongrum refused to withdraw his resolution prompting the Speaker, Metbah Lyngdoh, to put it to a voice vote.
“I do not withdraw the resolution,” Nongrum said.
To this the Speaker asked Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma if he had anything to say.
The chief minister said that he had already given his clarification. “The issue is more than what meets the eye. The honourable member has made his point, sir. You can put it to vote,” he said.
The chief minister said that he had already given his clarification. “The issue is more than what meets the eye. The honourable member has made his point, sir. You can put it to vote,” he said.
He said the existing reservation policy has stood the test of time since January 12, 1972. “It has worked well to the benefit of the communities of the state, who are now represented in different departments, and agencies of the government,” he said.
He said the matter was complex and sensitive in nature and needed to be tackled judiciously and thoughtfully.
He said the matter was complex and sensitive in nature and needed to be tackled judiciously and thoughtfully.
Sangma welcomed the suggestions of Trinamool Congress leader Mukul Sangma, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the House that the matter can be discussed at the party and at the legislature party level.
“Keeping the overall sensitivity of the issue in mind and the fact that there are many other ways and means by which we can discuss this even at the political level, I request the honourable member that he may withdraw the particular resolution,” Sangma said.
The existing reservation policy stipulates 40 per cent in favour of Khasi-Jaintia community, 40 per cent in favour of Garo community and 5 per cent in favour of Rabha, Kachari and Koch permanently residing in Meghalaya besides other Scheduled Tribes and other Scheduled castes.
Nongrum requested the resolution be referred to a select committee as he sought to know why outsiders were allowed to avail reservation in state government jobs in a category earmarked specifically for Garo people and why the reservation policy is linked to academic courses.
While moving the resolution on March 10, Nongrum had stated ,“Based on these figures and considering only the three major tribal communities of the state, Garo constituted 41.5 per cent and Khasi-Jaintia 58.5 per cent – clearly the government resolution of 40:40 appears to have favoured one community over the combined other two, when the ratio should have been 33.2 per cent and 46.8 percent respectively”.
Taking part in the discussion on the resolution, BJP MLA A L Hek suggested 40 per cent reservation for marginalised sections of the society.
Stating that the policy has been a blessing to the people of Meghalaya, particularly the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities, he said that there are many great personalities who have been holding high positions, be it in the private or the government sector in the past 50 years.
He said 40 per cent has to go to the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people and another 40 per cent has to go to the marginalised people of the society, that is also Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people, for those who are under BPL, job card holders, single parents, ASHA families, Anganwadi workers and domestic workers.