SHILLONG, FEB 19: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday informed the Assembly that the government is continuously pursuing with the Centre for immediate inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

“It is a continuous process and we are pushing from our side…and we are continuously pursuing the matter (with the Government of India),” Sangma said while replying to a question raised by an opposition VPP legislator from Mawryngkneng Heavingstone Kharpran.

He said the resolution for inclusion of the Khasi and Garo languages was passed in 2018.

“About eight letters have been sent to Government of India (for its consideration),” Sangma said while adding that the “Government of India (in its reply to the state) says that there is no specific or fix criteria for inclusion (of a language in) the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.”

He however said there has been no clarification or details that have come from the Government of India in regards to the reasons for the delay in the inclusion of the two languages in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

Stating that it was the MDA-1 government, which had taken a strong step to pass a resolution in December, 2018 and said, “This was right at the beginning (of our term) and it reflects the kind of commitment and working to get the Khasi and Garo languages included in the Eighth Schedule. We have been continuously following up with the Government of India and also with the home minister Amit Shah.”

He said the strong commitment of the House will ensure that the Ministry of Home Affairs will have to take a decision on the matter.

Further, the Chief Minister also said that both Khasi and Garo languages are among the list of 38 languages lying pending with the MHA when Congress legislator from Mawhati Charles Marngar asked if the delay of the MHA to take decision was because of the fact that the state government had send the proposal for inclusion of the Khasi and Garo languages at the same time.

Marngar had cited that the Centre in 2003 had given recognition only to Bodo language despite the Assam government having sent the proposal for inclusion of Karbi at the same time.

“I am happy that the government has sent both Khasi and Garo languages. However, if there is a problem in sending two languages, the government should review, if not let the government (continue to pursue with the Centre),” he stated.

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