SHILLONG, July 8: The MLAs in the state appear to be receptive to the idea that Khasi and Garo languages be used during the conduct of Assembly proceedings.
At the same time however, they felt it will create problems for the IAS officers from outside the state.
Suspended Congress MLA, Mohendro Rapsang welcomed the move. He believed it will help promote the two local languages and make the demand for their inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution stronger.
He said the Assembly Secretariat should have the infrastructure to ensure that the proceedings in the House are immediately translated into English without any errors.
His one concern is if the Assembly has a sufficient number of translators. Secondly, he said the IAS officers from outside the state may have problems with it since they are required to immediately pass information to the Ministers inside the House.
Another suspended Congress MLA, Ampareen Lyngdoh termed the idea as excellent. She recalled that she was privileged to first speak in Khasi in the Assembly in 2018. “One’s indigenous language will be aptly used for all the right reasons. This will also give necessary attention to the multiple dialects that build national character and identity,” Lyngdoh said.
The MLAs from Garo Hills could not be contacted for their views.
Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma had recently advocated that the MLAs be allowed to speak and debate in Khasi and Garo. He believed this would promote the two languages.
Commissioner and Secretary of the Assembly Andrew Simons said many government departments will have to be involved in the process as the Assembly Secretariat alone cannot do everything.
He said the MLAs also will have to be involved. He added that the process, allowing the MLAs to speak either Khasi or Garo language, has not started officially.
A controversy over the use of language erupted in the Assembly in 2018 when the then Governor, Ganga Prasad had spoken in Hindi while delivering his speech on the opening day of the Budget Session.
The Rule 28 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly states that “The business in the Assembly should be conducted in English”.
