SHILLONG, March 10: The Assembly on Thursday witnessed scenes ranging from a lively discussion to heated exchanges after KHNAM legislator, Adelbert Nongrum moved a resolution calling for review and revamp of the “outdated” state reservation policy.
Whether it was the question of merit over reservation, or the suggestions for formation of a committee to examine the quota policy, or even assertions that the incumbent should not question the wisdom of leaders of the past, the House witnessed it all as legislators tried their best to outdo each other on the crucial subject.
Moving the resolution, the North Shillong MLA hinged his core arguments on the patent anomalies in the state reservation policy, and how the office memorandum dated January 12, 1972, and amended on April 20 the same year, sustaining the flawed policy was outdated.
He said that office memorandums (generally called OMs) are understood to be administrative instructions, and in absence of statutory rules made by government, they are held to have the validity of law. The OMs continue to hold force till such time a properly drafted law is passed by the state legislature.
Nongrum pointed out that in the 1971 Census the demographics relating to Meghalaya showed a total state population of 10,11,699 (82.8% ST). The Garo population was 3,24,197 while the Khasi-Jaintia population – that included Khasi, Pnar (Synteng), War, Bhoi and Lyngngam – was 4,56,674.
“Based on these figures and considering only the three major tribal communities of the state, Garos constituted 41.5% while Khasis and Jaintias constituted 58.5%. The government resolution of 40:40 in 1972 clearly appears to have favoured one community over the other two combined, whereas it should have been 33.2% and 46.8%, respectively,” the MLA said.
“So an anomaly is found to have occurred during the framing of the resolution in 1972 and it probably should have been rectified as soon as the anomaly was detected,” he added.
He said the population of Khasis and Jaintias has shot up over the years and if the policy is updated as per the revised Census, it would be 30% for Garos and 50% for the Khasi-Jaintia people. Nongrum also stated that with this growing anomaly there would be widespread grumbling and a vocal demand to change the reservation policy since a whole section of people are genuinely affected by a policy lapse and their grievance is amply supported by quantifiable data.
Participating in the resolution, AITC’s Mawsynram legislator, HM Shangpliang said he considers the reservation policy as unique as the three tribes of the state are already classified as STs by the GOI and the state government while other sub tribes have also been notified by the government in due course of time.
Shangpliang observed that the reservation policy was adopted to end the disparity among the three tribes – Khasis, Jaintias and Garos – and to bring them at par. “The policy is unique as I have not seen anywhere in the country that there is a reservation within the state amongst the tribes,” he said.
Pointing out to instance of government offices advertising for one post and thousands applying for the same, Shangpliang wanted to know how the reservation policy would apply in such instances. “My question is whether we should bring merit as a priority or the reservation policy.”
He also questioned why the state reservation policy was not followed to fill up vacancies in central government offices like the Central Agriculture College (CAU) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Citing another example, the AITC member wanted to know whether the reservation policy would be given priority for recruitment of constables if someone does well in physical and written tests but does not qualify.
“It is time for the government to constitute a committee to review the reservation policy and suggest remedies,” he said, making it clear that he was not against the policy.
Mawlai MLA, PT Sawkmie and East Shillong legislator, Ampareen Lyngdoh agreed that the quota policy was a complex issue and the government has to take each and every citizen onboard before recommending a committee to examine the policy.
Siju-Rongara MLA, Rakkam Sangma spoke against tweaking the reservation policy. He said no one should question the wisdom of leaders of the past and pointed out that the state reservation policy was unique and special and was landmark decision of the leaders of the past.
He argued that the indigenous population of the state is entitled to 80% reservation and they should leave it at that without questioning the policy.