SHILLONG, June 5: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Monday clarified that its position on the job reservation policy is neither communal nor against any particular community.
“The issue was taken up by the party on the principle of fairness and equity, devoid of any element of communalism and chauvinism. The VPP is for everyone residing in Meghalaya,” party spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh said.
The VPP stands for the rights of the indigenous people. The party expresses concern that the Meghalaya State Reservation Policy of 1972 has produced uneasiness in the minds of the members of two indigenous ethnic communities – Khasis and Garos, he said.
Myrboh said the implementation of the roster system without a review and revision of the job reservation policy will create a situation where an imbalance of representation in government service would continuously exist. He said the policy should have been revised a long time ago to ensure that the principle of fairness between the two communities prevails.
The VPP leader lamented that political parties refused to take responsibility to usher in the much-needed review of the policy for their benefits. The VPP’s movement to review the policy is not to favour any community against the other, but only to ensure that fairness prevails, he said.
He also said that the VPP stands opposed to the policy of establishing the dominance of one ethnic community.
“The Khasis and the Garos toiled together during the statehood movement against Assamese chauvinism. Therefore, let the spirit of fraternity and brotherhood continue to prevail in the interest of the two indigenous communities,” Myrboh said.
He said the VPP is aware and concerned about the lack of development in different parts of the state, especially in the educational sector.
According to him, the results declared by the Meghalaya Board of School Education recently revealed the unpleasant and deplorable scenario of education in the Garo Hills where the pass percentage is much below the state level. He lamented that various governments consistently failed to uplift the educational scenario in the state, particularly Garo Hills.
Myrboh alleged that the government schools in Garo Hills have been utterly neglected.
“However, this should not be construed that education in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region is up to the mark. It is a fact that education in the entire state has been on a steady decline or failing to keep pace with time. This is evident by the inability of our students to compete successfully at the national level,” the VPP spokesperson said.
He said as outlined in its manifesto for the 2023 Assembly election, the party is committed to improving the educational scenario by building the capacity of the youth so they can compete at the national level.
Myrboh said the citizens of Meghalaya have been the victims of corrupt politicians whose corruption permeates every sector and every level of government. The members of the political class in different political parties have been responsible for the poor level of development, he alleged.
The VPP leader said the state has seen extremely rich politicians but poor people. Meghalaya has been consistently ranked as one of the least-performing states in India, he added.
“The corruption of the political class has been observed and commented on even by the High Court of Meghalaya from time to time,” he said.
Stating that the VPP was formed in 2021 with a clear vision to “Revive, Restore and Transform Meghalaya” as one of the model states in India, Myrboh said the objective of the party is to provide strong and effective governance with strong and effective political leadership that would take our beloved state forward for the better future of every citizen.”
“We, therefore, cordially invite our brothers and sisters in the Garo Hills to join hands together with the VPP in our efforts to bring change in the politics of Meghalaya where the political leaders are accountable to the people and work with sincerity for the welfare of the common people. Together, we can make a difference and make Meghalaya’s future bright,” he further said.
