Shillong, Mar 15: The resolution moved by Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) legislator from North Shillong Adelbert Nongrum demanding the state government to review and revamp the “outdated” state reservation policy has not been able to garner the support of the majority of the MLAs in the Meghalaya Assembly as the resolution was defeated by voice vote on Tuesday.
“The Nos have it and the resolution is lost,” Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh said.
The resolution was put to vote after Nongrum announced his decision not to withdraw the resolution.
Nongrum requested the need to refer the resolution to a select committee as he sought to know why outsiders are allowed to avail reservation in state government jobs in a category earmarked specifically for Garo people and why is the reservation policy 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 percent and Khasi-Jaintia 58.5 percent – 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 percent and 46.8 percent respectively.”
Earlier, while requesting the MLA to withdraw the resolution, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that these issues are far more sensitive than what meets the eye.
“Keeping the sensitivity of the issue in mind… I request the member to withdraw this resolution,” he said.
Sangma said Meghalaya was created as a separate state in 1972 and it was found there was a need for framing a policy for adequate representation of various communities in the public administration of the state.
He added that the state government adopted the present policy after thorough examination, detail discussion and due consideration of the Article 164 of the Constitution which states “Nothing in this Article shall prevent the state from making any provision for reservation of appointment or posts in favour of any backward class citizens which in the opinion of the state is not adequately represented in the services under the state”
Stating that the existing reservation policy has withstood the test of time since 1972, Sangma said with the completion of 50th year of statehood, the reservation policy has worked well to the benefit of the communities of the state who are serving in the different departments and agencies of the government.
“The matter as a whole is complex and sensitive in nature which needs to be tackle judiciously and thoughtfully being a policy matter,” he stated.
Earlier while participating in the discussion, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma has asserted that the issues confronting the people of the state can always be discussed within the ruling conglomeration and opposition. “This is the usual and healthy practice,” he said.
