On the roster system that has become a hot topic of debate in Meghalaya, United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Jemino Mawthoh has maintained that the state needs to come up with a formula that will be acceptable to everybody.
The state government’s reservation policy, ever since it was instituted in 1972, was to be reviewed every 10 years but that never happened, he said. “We belong to the same state and all three communities are stakeholders, so we need to come up with a formula and a rational decision that will be acceptable to everybody and the best way forward to resolve the reservation policy and roster system.”
Since the state was created in 1972, Garo and Khasi-Jaintias have enjoyed quotas of 40 percent each in government jobs despite the latter significantly outnumbering the former.
This reservation was subject to a set period in which it could be claimed. If, for example, there was no suitable Garo candidate for a particular post under the quota, the reservation would lapse after a certain period of time. However, this could well change when the roster system that has been arrived at to better administer the reservation system is put in place.
“Many suggested that this (roster system) should not be done with a retrospective effect but prospectively and I personally feel that leaders of all the different communities should come out with a rational decision and find out ways and means to resolve this issue without discriminating against anyone or bringing any kind of indifference between the communities but for the interest of all,” Mawthoh told Highland Post.
He said that the issue needs to be dealt with in a balanced and holistic manner and by looking at all angles as all are part and parcel of Meghalaya.
When asked about the special Assembly session on the topic, as has been demanded by certain parties, he said that discussion and dialogue, whether inside or outside the Assembly, should always be welcome as long as it evolves into something good and does not hurt the sentiments of anyone.
“When there are discussions and dialogue on the matter then people would become more aware and sensitive to this whole thing,” he said while urging restraint from giving a communal colour to the issue.
