By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 17: A clarion call for conducting Assembly proceedings in Khasi and Garo, the two prominent languages of the state, was made by Siju-Rongara MLA, Rakkam Sangma in the House on Thursday.
Speaking on the pending demand for recognition of the two languages under the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution, Sangma urged the Speaker to hold Assembly proceedings in the local languages on some occasions.
“We need to preserve and promote our languages on our own. Teaching of Khasi and Garo languages should be mandatory in the schools,” the NPP MLA said.
In his reply, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said the department has already included Khasi and Garo languages as subjects at the elementary level.
Rymbui also pointed out that the two languages were recognised under the Sixth Schedule. Entering the discussion, West Shillong MLA, Mohendro Rapsang questioned why the Centre had failed to award constitutional recognition to the two languages.
“I would like to know the grounds for non-inclusion of the two languages which are the official languages in the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) as they are recognised under the Sixth Schedule,” Rapsang said.
Rymbui responded, saying that the state government had already sent an Assembly resolution to the Centre to include these two languages under the Eight Schedule and the Centre’s response was awaited.
