HSPDP demands Govt to review state reservation policy

After chairing a meeting of the party’s central executive committee (CEC), HSPDP president KP Pangniang said that the members of the party have expressed concern and feel that there is a need to relook and review the state reservation policy for the best interest and equal opportunity of the youth.

“We have decided to sit and to deeply think whether there is any solution to relook or review this reservation policy. After examining it, we can put forward the reservation policy as one of the important issues in the party election manifesto or suggest the best solution to the government on what needs to be done,” he told reporters.

According to him, the party would also consult expert opinion on this matter.

Pangniang said the party feels that no doubt the people of Khasi and Jaintia Hills will not have equal rights and equal opportunities as per the present percentage 40:40.

“We cannot deny the fact that the population in the Khasi-Jaintia areas is bigger than the population in Garo Hills. When we speak about equality, we feel it is appropriate to relook and review the reservation policy again,” he said.

He however added, “The final call will be taken after we sit and try to get more information about what is the best solution with regards to this present reservation policy.”

On the other hand, Pangniang said that creation of a separate Khasi-Jaintia state and separate Garoland will be the only solution to this problem.

“That is the vision we could see from our party but since this dream is yet to come so we at least need this reservation to be relooked and revisit,” he added.

On the status of the demand for separate statehoods, the HSPDP chief informed that the party will continue to pursue and make the issue as top priority in its manifesto in order to sensitize the people of the entire state.

He said the party is confident that this long pending demand will materialize one day.

Pangniang further informed that the party has also had discussion with the Garo leaders on the need to pursue the issue jointly.

The HSPDP had submitted at least three memorandums to the Government of India.

“We have submitted more than three times – during the tenure of (L) Hopingstone Lyngdoh as president, before the 2018 general election and very recently. Unfortunately due to Covid pandemic, we did not have the opportunity to move this issue to Delhi but when we have the opportunity to sit and to decide this matter collectively with the Garoland Demand Committee members we will again pursue this demand in the near future and to submit a memorandum to the Government of India for its necessary consideration,” he stated.

By Our Reporter