Mizoram Assembly
File image of Mizoram Legislative Assembly.

Question hour of the 15th session of Mizoram legislative assembly on Monday was prolonged after opposition leader Lalzawmliana raised the question on employment of Mizo youths in central government establishments, which raised the issue of OBC quota in the state.

Replying to the question minister for Labour, Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Department H Rohluna said the state government has done its best in employing sons of the soil in central establishments in Mizoram. “The government has talked to the authority concerned especially for the recruitment of Mizo youths in group C and D in these institutions,” H Rohluna replied.

MNF legislator and house opposition leader Lalzawmliana said that mere talking to the concerned authorities was not enough and went on saying that majority recruitments through OBC quota in the central establishments of Mizoram were dominated by applicants from the neighbouring states.

The Centre has reserved 27% of group C and D jobs to Other Backward Classes (OBC) but in Mizoram, where majority of the population belongs in the Scheduled Tribe category cannot avail the reservation.

“I have heard that applicants from neighbouring states of Assam and Manipur with OBC certificates are being recruited and I am also informed that OBC certificates can be had easily in the neighbouring states,” Vanlalzawma said.

Raising concern T Sangkunga, former chairman of Mizoram Youth Commission expressed his apprehension over the OBC quota recruitment to central establishment within the state. “If we must not act now, it will be too late, we are already outnumbered by workers from outside the state and the sad thing is that there is a big question of their genuineness,” he said.

House leader Lal Thanhawla suggested that a written decree be made but citing there were several constraints in the proceedings, house speaker Hiphei was reluctant.

Opposition leader Vanlalzawma suggested that a proper awareness on the issue be given in colleges and to the general public. “Students bodies can be powerful agents in preventing applicants from other states, we must learn how our neighbouring state of Meghalaya has been dealing with the issue,” Vanlalzawma said.