Shillong, May 6: The Voice of the People Party (VPP), which decided to skip an all-party meeting convened by the state government to discuss the report of an expert committee on the state’s Reservation Policy, cited its preoccupation with some “important public issues”.
Responding to an official invitation for the all-party meeting, VPP president Ardent M. Basaiawmoit informed the government of his inability to attend the meeting.
The VPP chief said timing of the meeting was not suitable for the party.
“At present, we are occupied with several important issues affecting the state and the people, which require the government’s immediate attention,” he said.
VPP has been holding public meetings in market areas across the state on various issues targeting the government. On Wednesday, the party organised one such public meeting at Ïawmusiang, Jowai.
The party has been persistently demanding a review of the State Reservation Policy whereas the expert committee recommended status quo on the State Reservation Policy of 1972.
In the report tabled by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma during budget session of the assembly on February 18, the committee cited “support” from several groups towards maintenance of status quo due to concerns of legal implications of any alteration move.
The Chief Minister had cautioned against modifying the policy, warning that changes could invite judicial scrutiny.
The warning came during a discussion on a zero-hour notice moved by Basaiawmoit, along with North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum, seeking a 7 per cent increase in reservation for the Khasi community while retaining the existing quota for the Garo community.
While raising the issue in the Assembly, the VPP president had made it clear that the party was dissatisfied with the recommendations of the Expert Committee and had demanded wider consultations before the government takes any final decision.
Political leaders, however, pointed out that the government had effectively responded to the VPP’s demand by convening the all-party meeting, but the party chose to abstain from it.
“What is the point of taking the issue to the streets and wasting public time if they avoid the very platform meant for discussion?” some leaders remarked.
