JOWAI :MLA and Cabinet Minister Wailadmiki Shylla on Sunday claimed that the Khasi-Jaintia community had emerged as the “biggest loser” following the implementation of the roster system in Meghalaya, while linking the issue to the agitation over the state’s Reservation Policy in recent years.
Addressing a public meeting at Yungwalieh, Chiliangraij in Jowai in support of NPP MP candidate Dr DRL Nonglait, Shylla defended the MDA government led by the NPP and highlighted its role in maintaining peace and carrying out development works across different sectors.
However, a major portion of his speech focused on the Reservation Policy debate and the impact it has had on recruitment and representation in the state. Shylla alleged that the issue was raised by certain groups without fully understanding its long-term implications, eventually leading to protests and hunger strikes demanding a review of the Reservation Policy.
According to him, the government later constituted an Expert Committee to examine the matter in detail following the demands raised during the agitation. Referring to the controversy, Shylla said many people still fail to understand how the issue affects the Khasi and Jaintia communities.
“As the saying goes, you should not throw stones at a beehive without understanding the consequences,” he said while speaking on the political sensitivity surrounding the issue.
The minister further claimed that the controversy over the Reservation Policy eventually led to the introduction of the roster system in government recruitment, which he argued has changed how vacancies are filled in Meghalaya.
Explaining his point, Shylla said that under the earlier system, out of 100 government posts, 40 per cent were reserved for Khasi-Jaintias, 40 per cent for Garos, 15 per cent for the General category and 5 per cent for others.
He claimed that in the past, if reserved vacancies under the Garo quota remained unfilled, Khasi-Jaintia candidates were often able to secure those posts based on merit and availability.
However, under the roster system, unfilled vacancies under a particular category are now carried forward instead of being filled by candidates from other communities.
“Today, the Khasi-Jaintia community has become the biggest loser,” Shylla claimed. He also raised concerns over the possibility of legal challenges in future if the Reservation Policy issue reaches the courts.
“What will happen if tomorrow this matter goes to court? Earlier, Khasi-Jaintias and Garos together enjoyed 80 per cent reservation. Who will take responsibility if that figure is reduced to 50 per cent?” he asked.
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Calling the issue highly sensitive, Shylla said the government has not remained silent and discussions have already taken place at the Cabinet level to examine possible solutions. He added that members of the Expert Committee have been working for months to study the policy and determine whether amendments may be required.
During his speech, the minister also targeted the Voice of the People Party (VPP) leadership over its stand on the Reservation Policy debate.Without naming individuals directly, he criticised leaders who had earlier demanded discussions on the issue during an all-party meeting but later shifted their stand by claiming there were more important matters to discuss.
“Are these the kind of leaders who avoid discussions and instead choose to speak outside on the streets?” Shylla asked.