Shillong, April 28: The Khasi Authors Society (KAS) wanted the implementation of Khasi-Garo languages beyond symbolic steps.
The Khasi & Garo as official languages were notified in the form of an ordinance , on April 27.
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Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, KAS president Dr DRL Nonglait said, “We appreciate the step taken by the government but the significance of making Khasi language lies in the fact that it has to be implemented both in letter and spirit. It has to go beyond symbolic.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said in the next Assembly session, the ordinance will be approved by the House following which rules will be framed.
The KAS president said the it should be part of the process to frame implementation of rules.
“Once the ordinance is ratified by the state legislative Assembly, the government should start framing the rules and it has to see that for official use in administration, there should be a policy where all government departments should use Khasi in issuing notifications, orders and correspondences,” he said.
Regarding education, Dr Nonglait said Khasi’s use should be expanded in phases.
“When we consider the field of education, the department should take it very seriously since as of now Khasi has been a medium of instruction and examination only up to class V, which means up to primary,” he said.
“Our aspiration is that Khasi should be extended in the first phase up to class VIII, and if it is implemented in phase manner, at the second phase the government may plan to extend the use of Khasi as medium of instruction and medium of examination up to secondary and higher secondary level”, he said.
“It can be implemented in phase manner and in due course of time, it is even possible to use Khasi as medium up to degree level, like it is done or practice iyn other state, for example in Assam, Assamese and English are both medium of instruction and examination so also in Meghalaya.”
