Ronnie accuses BJP of depriving tribals

SHILLONG: Urban Affairs Minister and Mylliem legislator Ronnie V Lyngdoh has accused BJP of trying to do away with reservation and quota system for minorities and tribals.
Speaking at a literary awards cum felicitation programme for the aged and persons with disability organised by the Sawmer Women Organisation on Saturday, Lyngdoh said the saffron party’s agenda is to do away with such systems whereas Congress party wants to continue with these special benefits.
“The reservation and quota systems should continue until the time tribals and minorities are on a par with the rest of the country as by and large tribals are still backward,” he said. He further added that big political parties from New Delhi are trying to squeeze into Meghalaya.
The Minister while addressing the function further said though three indigenous groups in Meghalaya — Khasis, Jaintias and Garos — follow matrilineal system yet there is a general consensus among all that women in Meghalaya should be empowered, especially in terms of education.
Earlier, on a lighter note, Lyngdoh even said if he was no longer an MLA after the 2018 assembly polls, he would become a member of the organisation with an intention to serve the people.
Lauding the organisation for its initiatives and serving the people for the last 14-15 years, Lyngdoh urged more organisations to come forward in the cause of serving the people even as he added that students who had excelled in various SSLC exams to continue working hard in their studies.
During the programme, students who excelled in their SSLC examinations besides old citizens and persons with disabilities were also felicitated.