Shillong, Feb 27: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said the ball is in the Centre’s court for implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
“As a government, we have passed a resolution on both these aspects. Both these subjects are matters that are at the disposal and discretion of the government of India. There is limited action that the state government can take which is to pass a resolution at our level, to request the government of India to include our languages in the 8th Schedule and also to implement the ILP in our state…this shows the commitment from our side to move this forward,” Sangma told reporters.
The CM also emphasized the need for everybody to make a concerted effort to push the Centre for taking immediate decision on these two issues.
“Post that, we now have to work closely with the government of India. All of us at different political levels whether it is organizations, whether it is members of parliament, whether it is the state government, everybody has to do their part and I am sure everybody is doing their part but it is the responsibility at all levels and I am sure that we have got newly elected members in the Lok Sabha that they will also play their roles in pushing the demand for this and meet the concerned ministers whether it is the Home Minister or the Prime Minister on this issue,” he said.
“It requires a concerted effort from everybody and I hope we are able to push this. From the government side, we are continuously moving on this and there is continuous pressure from our side to the government of India to include our languages in the Eighth Schedule and also to implement the ILP,” Sangma added.
