Shillong, July 11: The North Garo Hills Job Reservation Policy Coordination Committee NGHJRPC, Resubelpara today made submission to Mr. L K. Diengdoh Secretary Expert Committee on Reservation Policy, in the Petition seek to Maintain the Status Quo of the Reservation Policy in Meghalaya.
The NGHJRPC submit this petition to express our grave concerns and articulate there position regarding the proposed amendments to the current reservation policy in the state of Meghalaya, they urge the committee to consider our appeal to maintain the status quo of the reservation policy
While seeking status quo the organisation stated that the Job Reservation Policy of Meghalaya is based on the essence of principles enshrined in Article 154) and Article 16(4) of the Indian Constitution and it empowers our State to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationaly backward classes.
The founding fathers of our beautíful state has designed the framework and mechanism of the Reservation Policy of Meghalaya in such a way that equitable access to employment and educational opportunities for our Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities are addressed and the socio-economic gap in all nook and corner of the state are bridged.
However, the stark reality is that, community has consistently received disproportionate share of benefits and has been significantly deprived of our rightful opportunities over the years.
A perusal of the census of Meghalaya State Govermment employees 2022 issued by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Meghalaya clearly reports that the Khasi and Jaintia community comprises 35031 (61.69%) out of the 56790 Scheduled Tribe employees and our Garo community are only at 19874 (35%) in the Govermment of Meghalaya.
It is prima facie evident by these records that our Garo community have been the deprived lot in matters of employment to Government services. The Job Reservation Policy of Meghalaya provisions for 40 % for Khasi Jaintias & 40 % for the Garos in letter but seldom applied in spirit as evidently seen in government records.
The Garo community has been historically marginalized and deprived of equitable opportunities. This current reservation policy ensures that Our community receives fair representation in govemment services and educational institutions.
Altering the policy could disproportionately affect the Garo community and lead to feelings of social instability, particularly among our community, which has historically relied on these provisions of reservation.
Factual ground studies and surveys indicate that our Garo community still lags in various socio-economic indicators, including literacy rates, employment levels, and access to higher education.These indicators highlight the critical and continuing need to maintain the current policy to address the disparities effectively.
In light of the aforementioned grounds, we respectfully submit the suggestions, that the Expert Commitee recommends maintaining the status quo of the current reservation policy in Meghalaya, ensuring that the existing provisions for our Garo community, remain intact.
That the Committee undertakes a comprehensive review of socio-economic data and empirical evidence to assess the continuing need for the reservation policy and refrains from making any changes that could adversely impact the Garo community.
That the Expert Committee considers the potential legal challenges attributed with changes in the urrent reservation policy. Changes that reduce the benefits Currently available to the Garo community may be seen as discriminatory and unconstitutional. any deviation from these principles could be subject to legal scrutiny and challenge.
That the Committee engages in consultations with representatives of Garo hills by conducting ground visit to all the different district headquarters at the earliest time, to understand our concerns and perspectives before making any final recommendations.
They trust that the Expert Committee will consider our petition with the seriousness it warrants and make recommendations that uphold the principles of the true essence of reservation.
Meghalaya has significantly benefited from the Current reservation policy, and any changes to this policy could undermine the progress made over the years. The petition was sign by Shri Jagir M.Sangma President and Shri Walseng N Sangma Reservation Polcy Cordinatton Committog North Garo Hills, Meghalaya.
