SHILLONG: A day after the KHNAM called for the need to review the State reservation policy the GSU has opposed the suggestion stating that the current policy of 40 per cent job reservation for Garos should continue.
During a press conference here on Wednesday, KHNAM leader Batkupar Wahlang had said that when it came to reservation for studying medical, engineering and other courses, a Khasi candidate with 70 per cent marks was being kept in the waiting list compared to a Garo candidate who secured only 36 or 40 per cent.
However, in a statement issued to the media on Thursday, GSU president Tengsak G. Momin said that it does not agree with KHNAM’s proposal for review of the state reservation policy.
“The majority of Garo students and job aspirants cannot compete with their Khasi counterparts who are better qualified as there are numerous educational institutions in Khasi Hills. It is an accepted fact that Khasis are in a far better position than the Garos,” Momin said.
“Shillong is considered as the education hub of Northeast. The Garos lag behind the Khasi brothers educationally, primarily because there are fewer number of educational institutions in the region which impart quality education,” Momin said.
According to the GSU, every community has the right to demand, preserve and protect their rights.
The GSU leader asserted that 40 per cent job reservation for the Garos is completely justified.
He also wanted to know as to how the Garos will compete when there is a dearth of good educational centres in Garo Hills.
“The very fact that Garo students lack the necessary quality to attain 60 to 70 per cent marks affirms the poor standard of education in Garo Hills compared to the quality of education in Khasi Hills,” he said.
According to GSU, open competition with better equipped communities of Meghalaya will affect the job prospects of Garo candidates and aspirants.
“Moreover, this will also result in the increase in the number of educated unemployed youths, who out of frustration will be swayed towards militancy,” he added.
“The number of people who are successful as IAS, IPS officers from the Khasi community elucidates the point that the Khasis are in a better position than the Garos,” the GSU leader said.
He also pointed out that because of the seat quota for specialized courses based on reservation policy many students gain entry to reputed institutions which churn out the much needed doctors and engineers and other professionals necessary for Garo Hills.
“Our Khasi brothers must wait a little more so that the Garos can compete openly at a later stage. For now, we request our brothers in Khasi Hills to bear with us for some more years before reviewing the reservation policy,” the GSU leader said.
