Shillong, Jul 27: The Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) has urged Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to immediately review the guidelines of the Meghalaya CM LEAD Fellowship, opposing a provision that reserves four of the 12 posts for candidates from outside the state.
In a letter on Monday through the OSD, SSA-SEMAM, the HYC said it welcomes the government’s effort to strengthen public education through the fellowship. However, it called earmarking one-third of seats for non-domicile candidates “unjustified and contrary to the objective of building local institutional capacity.”
The HYC pointed out that fellows work closely with district administrations, Samagra Shiksha, DERT, schools, teachers and communities across Meghalaya. Such roles, it said, require a strong understanding of the state’s geography, tribal customs, languages, governance and socio-cultural realities, and that Meghalaya has enough qualified local youth for the task.
The group clarified its objection is “not against candidates from other states, but against a policy that deprives deserving local youth of opportunities in a government-funded programme meant for Meghalaya.” It added that at a time of high youth unemployment, state initiatives must prioritise locals.
HYC has requested that the provision for four outside-state seats be withdrawn and that all fellowships be filled by eligible indigenous candidates on merit.
It expressed hope for a response before interviews scheduled for July 30-31, 2026, and warned that failing a review, the HYC “will oppose the interview process and launch public agitations to defend the rights of indigenous youth.”
