Shillong, April 20: The A’chik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) wanted the next chairman of Meghalaya Public Service Commission ( MPSC) to be from Garo category.
The ACHIK petitioned Chief Minister Conrad Sangma regarding the matter and said it will stage protest if the government does not adhere to its demand.
“We therefore strongly demand that the next Chairman of the Meghalaya Public Service Commission be appointed from the Garo category, in accordance with the rotational principle and in restoration of the rightful balance. Any deviation will be viewed as a calculated attack on the rights, dignity, and representation of the Garo community.If this demand is ignored, we will be compelled to take statewide protest actions and explore legal recourse, in defense of the constitutional values of justice, equality, and fair representation for all indigenous communities of Meghalaya,” it said.
According to ACHIK, Meghalaya State Reservation Policy, 1972, treats the Khasi-Jaintia (including Synteng) and the Garos as two distinct groups, with 40% reservation each keeping with this principle of parity, the appointment of members and particularly the Chairman of the MPSC has traditionally followed a rotational practice between these two constitutionally recognised indigenous groups.
The ACHIK also referred to the order of High Court of Meghalaya on April 5, 2022 which stressed the need for a transparent and consistent roster system to implement the reservation policy effectively as the absence of a roster allows for nepotism, arbitrariness, and worse forms of subversions.
“In this context, appointing yet another Chairman from the same category would violate both the letter and the spirit of the Reservation Policy and the High Court’s directives. It would send a clear message that Garo representation is being deliberately sidelined for political convenience and short-term gain,” it added.
The state government recently appointed chairperson in-charge of Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) and three members.
Accordingly, Badarius Shylla is holding the charge of MPSC while Aloysius Ch Marak, Lester Pathaw and Sanjive K Marak are the members.
The selection committee constituted by the government will decide on the next full-time chairman.
