Prioritise jobs creation over reservation: Cong to govt

SHILLONG, June 2: Days after extending support to the demand for review of the Meghalaya State reservation Policy of 1972, the Congress on Friday said the government should focus on creation of jobs to tide over the unemployment crisis instead of merely reviewing the job quota policy.
Congress Legislature Party leader, Ronnie V. Lyngdoh said reviewing the reservation policy will not solve the problem of unemployment in the state.
He stressed on efforts to generate the state’s revenue. He said a conducive atmosphere will attract investment and it will, in turn, create jobs.
“Suppose, we increase job quota for any particular class. Will it solve the unemployment issue? How many unemployed youths are registered with the employment agencies or how many are looking for employment? I think we have to look at that as policymakers. That is our duty, all 60 of us,” Lyngdoh said.
On the government notification for the constitution of an expert committee to review the job reservation policy, the Congress leader said the committee may take one month or one year but a comprehensive policy is needed so that nobody feels left out or discriminated against.
He insisted that factors such as demography, education, economy etc should be considered while reviewing the policy.
On the vacant post of Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Lyngdoh said the Congress is still awaiting a communication from the Speaker’s office.
The CLP leader claimed that there are no rules that an opposition party has to have one/sixth of the strength of the House.
Citing an example, he said the UDP once did not have the numbers but party leader the late Dr Donkupar Roy was made the Leader of Opposition.
Stating that the appointment of the Leader of Opposition is the Speaker’s prerogative, he said, “Maybe, he (Speaker) is seeking advice from legal and constitutional experts.”
Lyngdoh said the Congress will take up the matter with the office of the Speaker through a letter.
“In a democracy, we have ruling and opposition sides. If there is the Leader of Opposition, the government will know who to deal with when there is anything,” he added.