Shillong:
The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) has requested the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, to discuss the reservation policy in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) meeting.
President of the party, KP Pangniang, told reporters on Monday that suggestions need to be considered to improve the reservation policy and will make an in-depth study of the Office Memorandum.
He said, “We will discuss the matter of reservation policy with the MDA partners. We urge the chief minister to give us a platform.”
He added that the two MLAs of the party –ShakliarWarjri and Methodius Dkhar – take the matter forward with the government.
Meanwhile, senior HSPDP member and Mawkynrew MDC Martle Mukhim said, “It is apparent that the reservation policy has some shortcomings. The party felt that there should be a need to review it. It is up to the government to set up an expert committee to improve the reservation policy.”
He added that the tension in the state arises from the majority who claim that there are shortcomings in the reservation policy.
He said that the need to improve and review the reservation policy has been there in the party’s manifesto.
Recalling HSPDP supremo late Hoping Stone Lyngdoh’s statement to have a Khasi-Jaintia state separated from Garo Hills, the HSPDP president said that Lyngdoh had urged his party workers to be firm in their demand for a Khasi-Jaintia state as it will be a solution for job recruitments, the inclusion of Khasi language in Eighth Schedule, land issues and others.
“Khasi-Jaintia state is the only solution for the future of the Khasi and Jaintia communities,” he said.