SHILLONG: A discussion on Meghalaya’s State Reservation Policy triggered a debate in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday after Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar raised a point of order, asserting that the policy officially applies to “Khasis and Jaintias” and not to Khasis alone.
Dhar stated that referring only to “Khasis” excludes the Jaintia community and urged members to follow the officially recognised terminology during Assembly proceedings. He also requested the Speaker to ensure that all references recorded in the House reflect the phrase “Khasis and Jaintias.”
Responding to the concern, Voice of the People Party (VPP) MLA from Nongkrem Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit defended his earlier remarks made during discussions on the Expert Committee report on the Reservation Policy. He clarified that his use of the term “Khasis” was intended to promote unity among related sub-tribes, including Pnar, Khynriam, and War, and was not meant to sideline the Jaintia community.
Basaiawmoit maintained that the communities share a common tribal origin and described the issue as a matter of interpretation rather than exclusion.
Supporting the Deputy Chief Minister’s intervention, Health Minister and Jowai MLA Wailadmiki Shylla said the concern was raised solely to maintain clarity in official records. He noted that the 1972 reservation policy notification explicitly mentions “Khasis and Jaintias,” stressing the importance of administrative accuracy in Assembly documentation.
