The Voice of the People Party (VPP) in its central executive committee meeting held today has decided to petition Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Assembly Speaker Thomas Sangma to convene the special session of the Assembly to discuss the matter pertaining to the issue of the implementation of the roster system and the State job reservation policy in the light of yesterday’s order of the Meghalaya High Court.
Informing this, VPP spokesman Dr. Batskhem Myrboh also said that the party has also decided to organise public meetings in the different district and sub-divisional headquarters to enlighten the public on the impact of the implementation of the roster system if the job reservation policy is not reviewed.
“Also, the party in such meetings will elucidate the importance of creating resistance against the attempt to impose a one language policy in the country marked by diversity and also on the criticality of inclusion of the Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India,” he added.
Appealing to the citizens to attend the public meetings, Dr. Myrboh said that the dates of the public meetings will be announced at a later date.
It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya High Court yesterday said that it is for the State government and the Assembly to decide the cut-off date or how far back the roster system regarding the job reservation policy would be made applicable in the State.
The division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh made these observations while hearing the PIL filed by one Greneth M. Sangma. The High Court also dismissed the PIL.
“Judicial notice needs to be taken of the discussions pertaining to the roster in the new Assembly. However, it does not appear that any decision has yet been taken as to a cut-off date or the like or how far back the roster system would be made applicable. These are policy matters that are best left to the legislature and the executive and upon a firm stand being taken, it will be open to any citizen affected thereby to question the propriety thereof in accordance with law,” the High Court said.
“As of now, and without a decision in such regard having been taken by the Assembly which is actively discussing the matter, the present petition should not be entertained. Accordingly, PIL No. 2 of 2023 is dismissed without going into the merits of the matter pertaining to the roster system for reserved seats in the State. The court may be called upon to look into the matter at a more appropriate stage,” it added.
