Tura, Apr 10: The GSU CEC on Monday said that the continued discussion of the roster system and its present turmoil on the matter should not be a politics of shenanigans to intrude upon the Meghalaya Job Reservation Policy, 1972.
“The GSU wishes to express that any intrusion upon the JRP will be taken very seriously by the people of Garo Hills. The matter, we believe, as of now is about the implementation of the roster system adopted by the Meghalaya Govt. as per court orders in April 2022. The discussion on the roster system regarding the “retrospective” and “prospective” nature of implementation of the roster system is fair to be discussed upon but it must not be an implicated platform to denature the wisdom of the founding fathers of Meghalaya by any attempt to dilute the Meghalaya Reservation Policy, 1972. GSU appreciates the implementation of the Roster System,” its president Tengsak G Momin said.
Momin pointed out that it is not only an accepted fact but a gross reality that the Garos and other indigenous tribes and peoples of Garo Hills lack the quality education due to lack of quality educational institutions since even the Engineering College and the Medical College is yet to function and remains in limbo in the construction phases as are other model schools and college. This has a profound impact on the ability of the candidates of the region to successfully compete with the other brethrens of the state and hence Meghalaya Reservation Policy, 1972 is a necessity which must be sanguinely preserved for the equal benefits of the educationally disadvantaged communities of the state, he added.
Lauding the Meghalaya Government for its realization that Garos and other tribes have indeed been disadvantaged by the recruitment system, the union welcomed the HC’s view that a roster system is necessary to adhere to the letter and spirit of the Meghalaya Job Reservation Policy, 1972.
“We have however noted the clause No. 1.2 in the reservation policy, 1972 that “the deficiency will be carried forward to the next recruitment year and made good in the recruitment of that year provided that the reservation on account of the deficiency shall not be carried forward for more than one year. After the expiry of the second year, these reservations shall be treated as lapsed…”. But it is because of the absence of the roster system that these clauses have been trampled upon year after year,” Momin said.
Momin added that in 2007 the discrepancy arising out of the absence of the roster system were more than 500 backlogs on a rough calculation, which at present would have multiplied. However, he said that there is justification of the need for the roster system as so many people have been deprived.
Momin also did not agree to the idea made by VPP that JRP must be based on population demographics and vehemently opposed the notion as other factors like lack of education quality, quality educational institutions etc is enough to be understood by all as a disadvantage.
“Let us be on par in every aspect as brethrens or let us either discuss on the possibility of Winter Capital or Separate state if only one of our existing right to equal sharing of opportunities is hindered. We stand no chance without the JRP for equal representation,” Momin said.