Shillong, July 11: The North Garo Hills Job Reservation Policy Coordination Committee (NGHJRPCC) has recommended maintaining status quo on the State Reservation Policy, arguing that any change in it would lead to further disadvantages to the Garo community.

The committee submitted its recommendations to the Expert Committee on Reservation Policy in Shillong on Thursday.

Walseng N Sangma, Secretary of NGHJRPCC, emphasized the need to maintain the current job reservation status quo, highlighting the socio-economic disparity between the Garo and the Khasi and Jaintia communities.

In their letter of recommendation, the NGHJRPCC stated: “We urge the committee to consider our appeal to maintain the status quo of the reservation policy based on the following arguments.”

The committee underscored that the Job Reservation Policy of Meghalaya, rooted in Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Indian Constitution, is designed to ensure equitable access to employment and educational opportunities for Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo communities. Despite this framework, the Garo community has reportedly received a disproportionate share of benefits.

Citing data from the 2022 census of Meghalaya State Government employees, the committee highlighted the imbalance. “The Khasi and Jaintia community comprises 35,031 (61.69%) out of the 56,790 Scheduled Tribe employees, while the Garo community accounts for only 19,874 (35%),” it said.

The letter pointed out that these figures demonstrate the deprivation faced by the Garo community in government employment. The committee further argued that the reservation policy has not been effectively applied in spirit, disadvantaging the Garo people.

The NGHJRPCC articulated that altering the current policy could disproportionately affect the Garo community and lead to social instability. They emphasized the continued socio-economic challenges faced by the Garo community, including lower literacy rates, employment levels, and access to higher education, reinforcing the need to maintain the existing policy.

Their recommendations included:

Maintaining the current reservation policy to ensure the Garo community’s representation remains intact.

Conducting a comprehensive review of socio-economic data to assess the ongoing need for the reservation policy.

Considering potential legal challenges associated with changes to the policy that may be seen as discriminatory.

Engaging in consultations with Garo community representatives through ground visits to understand their concerns and perspectives.

Read: Police arrest two sleeper agents of HNLC from Mawlai & Upper Shillong

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