Law Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Thursday said that the state government will take a call on the request to have a clear reservation policy for admission in government educational institutions including higher and professional studies.
Addressing the media persons, Lyngdoh said that she had received a request through a memorandum submitted by a delegation of the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) in her office chamber.
“We will take a call and I will appraise the chief minister on this matter with the hope that it shall be to the satisfaction and as per procedures and conventions of the state of Meghalaya,” she said.
“And yes I will take this forward and I will write to the concerned department to ensure that we are covered as per law. The procedure for the selection and allotment of seats, professional seats in education, whether it is science, arts or commerce, whatever quota the government of Meghalaya has should be executed efficiently and as per law.”
The HITO said that, “To avoid any inconvenience to the student communities of the State before the commencement of the next academic session it is humbly requested before your good self being the head of the department to kindly have in place a proper and clear reservation policy for admission in government educational institution including higher and professional studies.”
HITO president Donbok Dkhar said as per reply received under the Right to Information Act 2005 the PIO cum Joint Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Education Department stated that no such notification has ever been notified by the department on inclusion of education for admission in Government Educational Institution including Higher and Professional Studies in line with the Resolution No PER.222/71/138 Dated Shillong the January 1972, including all its latest amendment.
“But reservation for education including higher and professional courses is being implemented based on the principle and spirit of the state job reservation policy. Here, we would also like to bring to your kind notice that the Honorable Chief Minister on his reply during the Budget session in the August House on 6th April 2018 on question raised by the Honourable Member MLA (Late) Shri. S.K.Sun regarding the State Government Job Reservation Policy and its extension for the purpose of Admission in Government Educational Institutions Including Higher and Professional Studies.
The Chief Minister Reply is very categorical and clear that as per the Resolution Dated 12th Jan, 1972 that the word reservation for Higher Education is not included and that is why I cannot mislead the House,” he said.
“In view of the above it can clearly be established that implementation on extension for educational purposes for admission in government educational institutions including higher and professional studies of the state reservation policy which is meant purely for job is highly illegal and can be challenged in the court of law,” he said.