TURA, March 30: As the debate and controversy raises over implementation of the roster system in the job reservation policy of the state, the Garo National council party has revealed that it was their president who first moved a resolution in the state assembly for its implementation but lost the vote after the then Congress government headed by chief minister Mukul Sangma defeated the resolution and did not allow for a discussion on it.

“Late Clifford R Marak, then MLA, once moved the Resolution in Assembly to implement the Roster System in Meghalaya Reservation Policy, but the then Government under the Chief Ministership of Dr. Mukul Sangma defeated his Resolution in the Assembly without thorough discussion,” announced GNC general secretary Augustine R Marak.

The GNC, which spearheads the demand for a separate Garoland state, said that it was only their party that pushed for implementation of the roster system to ensure a robust job reservation policy which should have happened from the inception of the reservation policy.

“The implementation of the Roster system in Meghalaya is not a new policy. This system is being popularly implemented in other states of India, such as Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka where the States are following Reservation policies. Roster system is mandatory in Reservation policy, it makes a healthier policy and the Hon’ble High Court of Meghalaya rightly observed the needs of Roster system in Meghalaya Job Reservation policy, so it must be respected by all,” stated the GNC.

The party has clarified that implementing the Roster system is not going to deprive the rights of any community of Meghalaya.

“Status Quo must be maintained in Meghalaya Job Reservation policy 1972 and the Roster system. Present Government should not tolerate furthermore debate on the Roster System and Job Reservation policy since the issue is very sensitive,” warned the GNC.

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