‘Changes to Job Reservation Policy might disturb peaceful coexistence of tribes’

TURA, April 19: The Garo Graduate’s Union (GGU) on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to not make any changes to the existing Meghalaya Job Reservation Policy and to implement the same properly for the equal uplift of all tribes in the state.
Stating that the Job Reservation Policy was prepared with the foresight and vision of the founding fathers of the state, the union said that disturbing the same may disturb the peaceful co-existence of tribes in Meghalaya.
The plea to the chief minister comes following a meeting of the union after certain groups, along with the VPP, sought the review of the Job Reservation Policy recently.
“The Job Reservation policy was prepared and approved by the then leaders of Meghalaya since inception based on the educational status, economic status etc of the three main tribes of this state. The Garo community, being the lowest in the rank pertaining to educational status, economic status and in all walks of lives, was considered and accordingly the Khasis and the Jaintias as well,” it said.
The union reminded that Garos are still placed the lowest among the three tribes of the state in terms of all-round development due to lack of basic facilities in all aspects.
“The Garo Hills is so much behind the other districts of Meghalaya with regard to educational facilities as well as the other facilities. The Government of Meghalaya is responsible for uplifting the weaker section of the society,” it said.
The GGU alleged that despite the existence of the Job Reservation Policy, the Garos had been deprived of its benefits for a very long time, and despite that, the community had not raised hue and cry.
“However, at this juncture the learned High Court has come forward to order the Government of Meghalaya to implement the Job Reservation Policy in Roster System to bring equal justice to all the tribes of Meghalaya without discriminating anyone and that justice must prevail in order to sustain peace and harmony in the state of Meghalaya,” the union added.