SHILLONG, March 15: BJP legislator, Alexander Laloo Hek pitched for a special 40% reservation for the marginalised tribals.
“Without shaking or disturbing the existing state reservation policy, let there be 40% reservation for Khasi, Jaintia and Garo candidates and another 40% reservation for the marginalised tribals, including the downtrodden, domestic workers, less privileged, BPL families, daily wage earners, street vendors and those running from hand to mouth,” Hek suggested.
Stating that the quota policy has helped the people of the state, particularly Khasis, Jaintias and Garos, to flourish, he said, “In the last 50 years, the major portion of benefit had gone to the cream of the society but we are not looking at the marginalised people.” “Why not make this special reservation for the marginalised people of the society?” he asked.
To buttress his point, Hek said Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, Commissioners and Secretaries, Directors, Joint Secretaries and many others are occupying these posts due to the state reservation policy, but an opportunity should now be given to the less privileged.
“We need a fresh state reservation policy with slight changes and modifications,” he added.