SHILLONG, April 19: As the demand for review of the reservation policy waxes over time, UDP leader and cabinet minister, Paul Lyngdoh on Wednesday said that out of the 36 Assembly constituencies in Khasi-Jaintia Hills region, 25 constituencies do not favour a change of the reservation policy even as he maintained that touching it could mean inflicting self-wounds. Lyngdoh also said that the State Reservation Policy is flawed.
Stating that his views are personal, he said, “The UDP had listed, as number one in its manifesto, the change of reservation policy. We fielded 46 candidates and only 11 of us won. Even if you only think of Khasi-Jaintia Hills sector, out of 36, we won 11 seats minus the ten in Garo Hills.”
“When you seek the people’s mandate and you get 11 out of 36 seats, it means the majority of the constituencies are not interested in any change of the reservation policy,” he said, further adding that “36 minus 11 is 25. This many constituencies did not favour a change of the reservation policy”.
Asked to comment on the possible repercussions of changing the reservation policy, hinted by him, the minister said that a blunder was committed 50 years ago and resolving the festering issue is more difficult.
“A blunder that has been perpetuated for 50 years cannot be resolved in five days, weeks or five months, but let it be resolved bit by bit”.
He further explained that there are a lot of errors in the entire reservation policy. “For instance, giving space of two to three years for a post to be filled up means you are undermining the quality of administration,” he said.
“If the office has to have 12 staff members to run and because you have to wait 2 years while it is running short of staff that in itself a blunder,” he added.
“There are a lot of intricacies involved and we should not end up shooting ourselves in our legs. Let us not inflict self-wounds”.
On the roster system, the cabinet minister called it a valid concern.
“I will put my views across in the cabinet. If at all it has to be done, it can be done prospectively …the matter can be taken to the Supreme Court, and the state assembly has the option of legislation”
“Which combination will work best is up to the House and the cabinet to decide,” he added.
Pointed out that one of the regional forces is not against the roster system but for review of the reservation policy, he said, “Even if you combine UDP (11) and VPP (4), it will still make 15. And 15 out of 36 is still not a majority.”
Paul, who is also an MDA Spokesperson, however said that the MDA is going to meet at the end of this week or early next week to discuss the matter.
“The matter is also coming in the cabinet, there an all-party meet is also being called so at these different platforms we will get an exchange of views and I am sure the best of views will come forward,” he said.
