What is the mind of NGOs and other social organisations on the State Reservation Policy? Are they contended with the 40-40 percent ratio between the Khasi-Jaintia and Garo communities? Or will the reservation be based on the population or merit of a concerned community or tribal candidate, respectively?
The Expert Committee on the State Reservation Policy, constituted by the Meghalaya Government last year, has called for a 3-day public hearing in Shillong starting October 3.
Headed by the former judge of Madhya Pradesh High Court Justice (Retired) Mool Chand Garg, the Expert Committee called all NGOs and social organisations to submit their suggestions on the Reservation Policy on October 4.
Prominent NGOs from Khasi-Jaintia Hills came forward to give their submissions on Friday. While many stressed the need to retain the 80 percent reservation for the STs with a relook on the population ratio, others were of the view that the reservation policy must also cater to the needs of the underprivileged and People with Disabilities or PWDs.
According to the president of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Lambokstar Marngar, the reservation policy must be reviewed and provide 90 percent reservation for tribals – with 50 percent for the Khasi-Jaintia communities and 40 percent for the Garos, 5 percent for other Schedule Tribes and 5 percent for general category.
“We only have the 2011 census to turn to when we talk about the population but let’s face it, the population of the tribals has increased from 2011 to date. And we feel, taking population into account, reserving 50 percent for the Khasi-Jaintia and 40 percent for Garo is justified,” Marngar said.
The KSU president, however, said that if the Expert Committee feels that this recommendation is not viable, we suggest a combined 90 percent reservation for Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo tribes, and appointments to any government jobs should be based on merit.
Furthermore, he said that there is a need to review the policy, make it a prospective one, and do away with backlogs.
Meanwhile, the KSU has also submitted the need to relook at the appointment of teachers in lower primary schools whereby it suggested that 100 percent reservation must be given to the local teachers – be it in districts inhabited by Khasi-Jaintia or Garo communities.
“If it is a place inhabited by Khasis or Jaintias, 100 percent of seats must be reserved for the Khasi-Jaintia and similarly, if it is a Garo-dominated village, 100 percent of seats must be given to the Garo teachers because primary schools must have teachers who are well-versed with the local dialect,” KSU general secretary Donald Thabah said.
Similarly, Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) has voiced similar views except that instead of the 90 percent reservation, they have sought a retainment of the 80 percent reservation and that the policy should be based on merit.
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“Our main submission is that the policy must also include reservation in educational institutions (higher education),” said the president of HITO Donbok Dkhar.
Representing Bethany Society, Carmo Noronha said that the Reservation Policy must include and be in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the Meghalaya State Policy for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
“Both, the law and the policy ensure that there is a 4 percent reservation in all government jobs for PWDs. Our submission is that irrespective of what the state policy entails, it cannot neglect the 4 percent reservation because as it is at present, the reservation is not being adhered to,” Noronha said.
Meanwhile, President of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Movement (HNYM) Louis Dohtdong said that the government must implement the policy based on the population ratio. “We have studied different rulings of the Supreme Court and the Mandal Commission, and it is justified to base reservation on population,” Dohtdong said.
Lawyer and Adivor of the Ri Bhoi Dorbar Erwin Sutnga have said that based on different Supreme Court rulings, it is justified to demand policy that is based on population – that is – 50-30 ratio for Khasi-Jaintia and Garo, respectively, and 5 percent reservation for PWDs in all sectors.
He also submitted the need to revise the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order of 1950 because the number of STs coming and residing in the state has increased manifold, considering the recent exodus of the Kuki-Zo tribe from Manipur.
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