SHILLONG, April 30: Former deputy chief minister, Bindo Mathew Lanong on Sunday said it may not be too late to delve into the roster system.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, he said there has been a lot of debate on the ticklish issue of whether the roster should be prospective or retrospective.
According to Lanong, the issue seemed to have been nearly settled, whether one likes it or lumps it, when the High Court of Meghalaya gave its order in April while dismissing a PIL of one G.M. Sangma.
He said there was no mention of a roster system in the (resolution) number PER 222/71/138 on January 12, 1972, relating to the employment policy that indicated the quota system for different tribes when Meghalaya attained statehood.
“This roster system on employment came about, apparently with effect from May 10, 2022, to be applicable only for the category of those who are formally appointed,” the former UDP leader said.
Lanong observed that the ball is now in the court of the state government, especially after the high court dismissed the PIL concerned.
He said it has become imperative for the state government to decide on the cut-off date, and examine and settle the matter on the merit of the issue.
Lanong said there is nothing absurd or strange about the growing voices from the Garo Hills region, all seeking a separate state after having shared Meghalaya with Khasi-Jaintia Hills for more than 50 years.
He also said there is nothing wrong with the demand for shifting of the state capital to the Garo Hills during winter, the way it is practised in Jammu and Kashmir because of winter and snowfall. Although the demand for making Tura the winter capital has nothing to do with the weather, it is fair to give the idea a trial run, he felt.
But the cash-strapped state may not afford the expenses involved in shifting the capital, Lanong pointed out.
Patting Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma for trying to fulfil the aspirations of all in the state, the former UDP leader said it would be unwise to doubt the future of a separate Garo state when smaller states such as Goa and Sikkim have done well.
He said statehood would not affect the deep-rooted bond between the Garo and the Khasi-Pnar people with thousands of Garos having permanently settled in the Khasi Hills, especially in West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts.
Lanong lamented the plight of the Khasi-Pnar people living in the border areas with reference to the gunning down of five people in Mukroh village.
“Hopefully such unprovoked massacres, followed by recent incursions in several parts of Jaintia Hills district have no link with statehood preparations,” he said.
