Editor,
Reservation policy has always been framed to befit the local residents or the tribals that belong to one of the three tribes in Meghalaya. Throughout the years the policy has been applicable in education, employment and other allied areas for all the deserving and eligible front runners in the tribe. The policy was a dream comes true though for the middle class as well as the under privileged candidates residing the state in the previous years with limited number of districts.
However, now with the growing number of Districts numbering 12 in the state whereby the Khasi and Jaintia people account for a total of 7 (Seven) districts and Garo Hills comprising of 5 (five) district, the 40% – 40% reservation policy seems more like a discrimination and bias against some tribes. With politicians already taking control and pulling the strings of the reservation policy especially in the areas of employment with most of the government vacancies being filled by them through their ‘Political appointment mode’ exploiting their political powers thereby depriving the deserving candidates belonging from middle and underprivileged class who are losing the race and their rights.
High unemployment rate in the state has surged drastically with the years. Competition in both education and employment via the reservation policy has most of the time left the candidates with nothing but hopelessness and despair. Our Garo brothers and sisters are somehow doing well with their 40% share of the reservation policy even though politics does play its part aggressively whereas Khasis and Jaintias have to compete amongst themselves for a meagre 40% which is a big stumbling block that usually leaves the much deserving youth disillusioned. Why does such injustice exist?
Even as the State is about to celebrate its 50th statehood day, do the youth of this millennia have to compete amongst each through the outdated reservation policy that gives politicians the utmost power to influence? Let me ask the youth of today if they think that an open competition is much fairer and more justified for everyone. I personally urge all the legislators of Khasi and Jaintia hills along with the various NGO’s, students’ bodies etc., to fight for the implementation of a new policy that gives equal reservation and attention to Khasi, Jaintia and Garo and to unlock the main door for an open competition amongst the youth of the three tribes so that the fittest and the brilliant minds prevail and the future of our community and the state as a whole is safeguarded.
As a concerned citizen, I personally do not wish to witness our young and talented minds ending up being unemployed and falling prey to the present failed Reservation policy. It is a matter of great concern that the Government has not come up with any alternatives to address the issues that concern the future of our younger generation. Justice has to be served, fair play has to be adapted and an Open competition is the best solution for the youth in both education and employment.
Yours etc.,
O R Shallam
Panaliar, Jowai
Harassment faced by Meghalaya Rural Bank employees
Editor,
It is with a sense of profound distress that I write to draw the attention of the authorities to the current dissatisfaction amongst staff of the Meghalaya Rural Bank against the Management for unjustified treatment meted out to them by way of arbitrary transfer of staff especially of the lady employees. Additionally, it is alleged that such ill – advised transfer of lady staff members to remote offices in isolated areas is fraught with unforeseeable consequences apart from the fact that they are posted in such locations for an indefinite period without any verifiable dateline of being brought back to their nearest hearths and home. To make matters worse such personnel either have small kids or aged parents to look after to cater to their bare exigent needs.
Further it is also alleged that those who are in the good books of some members of the management are not subjected to transfers. Hence there is a simmering widespread dissatisfaction among the rank and file of this bank. Suffice to say therefore, that an urgent overhaul of the present panel-members of the Meghalaya Rural Banks is a crying need before the work culture is compromised among the concerned staff
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email
Why can’t teachers be paid regularly?
Editor,
It is difficult to understand why educators who help mould the minds of thousands of students during their tenure as teachers should have to agitate to get their just dues. This has become an ongoing problem over decades in Meghalaya. I am not sure if other states also pass through similar travails. Deficit School teachers get their salaries once in three months and have to manage ton run their families amidst a lot of anxieties. How can anyone with a heavy heart and anxiety be expected to give their to their profession which requires a lot of free interface with students. Teachers have to put up a brave face and continue to motivate students even when they are emotionally disturbed by the burden of managing their lives without salaries for months. This must be the worst form of injustice meted out by the government on educators.
This problem has to be sorted out once and for all. It is against all norms of decency when teachers have to go on strike to get their hard-earned salaries. Teaching is no easy job. It involves several skill sets to be employed while dealing with different kids coming from a range of backgrounds, each with their own strengths and the teacher has to identify those strengths to help the student reach his/her highest potential. It’s a daily challenge for the teacher. Why don’t those in Government understand this?
More power to teachers!
Yours etc.,
M Kharmalki,
Via email