SHILLONG: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has advocated for a significant reservation policy shift, urging that 93% of reservations be allocated to Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Meghalaya.
This recommendation was conveyed in a letter to the experts’ committee on state reservation policy by HYC president Roykupar Synrem.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Synrem stated, “If the Supreme Court deems the sub-classification of STs/SCs constitutionally and legally valid, the reservation should be 50% for the Khasi-Jaintia community, 40% for the Garo category, and 3% for other STs.”
“If sub-classification is found invalid, we propose a combined 93% reservation for STs, 2% for SCs, and 5% unreserved,” stated Synrem.
The HYC also recommended retaining the combined reservation for STs at the district level, suggesting an increase to 93% for STs, 2% for SCs, and 5% for the unreserved category.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Also read: VPP proposes 1971 population census as base for job reservation in Meghalaya
Addressing the current reservation policy in Meghalaya, which groups STs and SCs under a single 5% reservation category, Synrem criticized this as “highly illegal”.
He proposed a separate 3% reservation for other STs and 2% for SCs.
Additionally, the HYC called for the inclusion of casual workers, contractual, and non-permanent employees in government institutions and undertakings in the reservation policy if their employment exceeds 30 days and is renewable.
HYC highlighted the need for a clear definition of “scientific services and posts” and a proper categorization of such jobs.
They also recommended abolishing the “carry-forward” provision for unfilled reserved category posts and suggested these be filled by other reserved categories based on merit.
Also read: Meghalaya police undergoes major reshuffle, Shillong and Tura SPs replaced
The HYC expressed the need to redefine the term “Government Aided Institutions” within the policy.
If institutions like SSA, ADHOC, and Deficit schools are included, they propose the same 93% ST, 2% SC, and 5% unreserved reservation structure for recruitment.
Furthermore, the HYC called for separate legislation to govern reservation for teachers’ cadres in fully government and government-aided educational institutions.
They also suggested legislation for reservation in admissions to educational institutions and for pursuing higher studies outside Meghalaya under a government quota, advocating the same 93% ST, 2% SC, and 5% unreserved policy.