By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 6: The state government on Friday said the Khasi language is on the list of 38 languages which are under active consideration of the Centre for their inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
The government is confident that a special bill will be introduced in Parliament to include them in the Eighth Schedule.
Stating that the state government has done all that was possible and doable, cabinet Minister, Paul Lyngdoh said the government parted with a piece of land, measuring 5,050 square feet, at the tribal research institute belonging to Arts and Culture department and gifted it to the Khasi Authors’ Society (KAS).
He said it was done to facilitate the society’s functioning from one centre. He said the society will be equipped further so it can pursue the matter with the central government.
“I am happy to share with you that the information that has reached us is that 38 new languages are under active consideration of Government of India. The Khasi language is on the list of these 38 languages,” Lyngdoh added.
Asked about the Garo language, he said, “I am yet to see the list. The KAS is confined to the Khasi language and this information (about Khasi language) was shared”.
He said they were part of the programme organised by the KAS and would be happy to join any such programme if organised by the Garo Authors’ Society.
On the demand of the KAS for the introduction of a bill in Parliament, Lyngdoh said, “An official delegation, led by the chief minister (Conrad K Sangma), had met the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and the Home Minister (Amit Shah) as well as the Minister in-charge in the department of DoNER”.
“We are now confident that a bill will be introduced. You have seen the seminar in Delhi which was followed by a sit-in. The events were historic in that all political parties, a number of NGOs, scholars, and students of both NEHU and other universities in Delhi participated,” he added.
