SHILLONG, July 14: The BJP Meghalaya unit has recommended maintaining the existing State Reservation Policy, citing equity, stability, social harmony. The party said any change in the policy should be based on a comprehensive review, incorporating the views of all stakeholders.
The recommendations have come from the party’s consultative committee which was formed to gather suggestions from party workers and leaders.
“The current policy allocates 40% reservation for Khasi & Jaintia, 40% for Garo, 5% for other ST/SCs, and 15% for the general category. The BJP recommends maintaining this status quo, emphasizing the policy’s role in promoting social justice, inclusion, and equity for marginalized communities,” the committee said.
“We urge the state government to consider our recommendation and continue to uphold the principles that have guided our reservation policy thus far,” the BJP stated.
The recommendation of the BJP under equity and inclusivity states that the current reservation policy ensures that marginalised and underrepresented communities continue to receive the support and opportunities necessary for their advancement. Maintaining the status quo will uphold the principles of equity and inclusivity, it said.
The BJP stated that the existing policy has provided a stable framework that has been effective in addressing historical injustices and imbalances and any changes to this policy could potentially disrupt the progress made so far and create uncertainties.
According to the BJP, the reservation policy has been a critical tool in promoting social harmony and cohesion within the state. Maintaining the status quo will prevent potential social tensions and conflicts that could arise from altering the policy.
The BJP also highlighted that any major change to the reservation policy should be based on a thorough and comprehensive review, including extensive consultations with all stakeholders and until such a review is conducted, maintaining the current policy is the prudent course of action.
TMA MLA seeks 5 pc general quota for ‘Desi Muslims’
Trinamool Congress MLA from Rajabala, Mizanur Rahman Kazi on Sunday urged the Expert committee on Reservation Policy to set aside 5 per cent of the quota from the general category for ‘Desi Muslims of the Plain Belt’, without affecting the reservation quota of the indigenous Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities.
Kazi, while giving his suggestions to the expert committee, narrated the history of the region pointing out that ‘Desi Muslims’ were the original residents of the area and that a majority of the Muslims converted from Rajbongshis. He stated that the ‘Desi Muslims’ are an integral part of the social and demographic fabric of Garo Hills and the state and that the community always contributed to the growth and development of the state upholding the spirit of ‘Unity in Diversity’.
Reminding that many leaders from the Muslim community have represented and served the state and the district council both in the past and the present, Kazi urged that the expert committee to recognise them as OBCs and reserve 5% quota from the general category.
