SHILLONG, FEB 19: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has expressed disappointment with the state government’s reservation policy report tabled in the Assembly, saying it fails to address the community’s concerns.
“The expert committee’s recommendation to retain the 1972 policy is disappointing. We expected a more favorable outcome considering our population and submissions,” HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem told reporters on Thursday.
The HYC leader argued that the Khasi-Jaintia community, with a population of 16-17 lakhs, should get a higher reservation percentage compared to the Garo community (11-12 lakhs).
“We are ready to accept a combined reservation of 90% for Khasi-Jaintia and Garo, with 10% for other STs and reserved categories,” he added.
Synrem questioned the expert committee’s contradictory recommendations, including retaining the 1972 policy while suggesting changes like a carry-forward system and creamy layer concept.
“These recommendations will have a negative impact on our community’s future recruitment prospects,” he said.
Asked, Synrem said, “…we feel that the creamy layer concept is not suitable for our community at present because socially and economically, we’re not on par with other tribes. Introducing this system is a point of discussion, but what’s clear is that the expert committee is unsure what to recommend. It says to retain the 1972 policy, yet offers contradictory suggestions, showing they’re contradicting themselves.”
By Our Reporter
