KHM questions legality of job reservation policy in Meghalaya

A REPORTER

SHILLONG, Jan 22: The Khun Hynniewtrep tiol Awakening Movement (KHM) today questioned the legality of the State Job Reservation Policy arguing that according to an RTI finding indicates that the resolution was taken before Meghalaya achieved statehood. KHM today held a meeting with like minded people which included teachers from various colleges and Universities regarding the State Reservation Policy.

After the meeting KHM general secretary Batkupar Wahlang said, “If we look at the date of the resolution as per our RTI findings it shows 12th January 1972 and this is prior to date when we achieved statehood and this is just a resolution. If it’s an ordince after 6 months the government should legislate it in the Assembly and we feel if it’s any policy it should always go through the cabinet.”

He said the reservation policy was implemented before the State achieved statehood and there were no full-fledged MLAs.

“We have decided to search more facts and information on how the reservation policy was brought into the State since we feel it’s not qualified enough for us to consider it important when we look at job and reservation policy,” he said.

Stating that as per the resolution it’s only for post and services, he questioned, “Why in the academic or education policy the government is bargaining from the reservation policy.”

He added, “The Health department brought the education policy through the Job reservation policy and we are still puzzled with how they are able to do that so in the meeting we have decided to find more information,.”

He informed that after collecting all the needed information they will convene another meeting on March this year to discuss further regarding the reservation policy.

According to him, the resolution cannot function in the State since it was prior Meghalaya achieved statehood.

Meanwhile, KHM working president A. Nongrum said, “This issue has been lying pending for the past 44 years and now is the time to collect all the information through various sources to rectify the issue.”

 The KHM leader further said, “We want to make it clear to the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma that we are bringing this issue not to create any commul conflict but since its illogical when it comes to the reservation policy that’s why we have to take up the issue.”