BJP asks Govt to decide on the cut-off date for roster implementation

SHILLONG, MAY 1: The state BJP on Monday has asked the state government to take a call on the cut-off date for implementation of the roster system.

“We endorsed the High Court order on the cut-off date but we are not saying retrospectively or prospectively but we would like the government to take a call on the cut-off date. If not the government, it should be the legislature,” Convener of the BJP’s committee on roster system, Himalaya M Shangpliang told reporters.

He was referring to the order passed by the Meghalaya High Court on April 3, which stated, “The 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.”

When asked, the former Mawsynram legislator said let the government at its level and in its cabinet decide on the matter.

He also maintained that the party has nothing to say on the demand to review the state reservation policy and said, “We are not going as far as the policy is concerned. We would like to confine within the orders of the high court relating to the roster.”

The committee on roster system had held two rounds of meetings. Shangpliang said a legal team headed by SP Mahanta has assisted the committee with the legal advice.

“The committee have come up with certain suggestions which we would like to present whenever the chief minister call us for an All-party meeting,” he said while adding that “the details of that we would not like to divulge it here because we would like to keep it for discussion across the table when the all party meeting meets.”

Earlier, BJP state president Ernest Mawrie informed that the committee will submit a report on the roster system. “We will examine the report and we will place it in the MDA meeting,” he said.

By Our Reporter