Cabinet approves proposal to make Khasi-Garo compulsory paper for Meghalaya Judicial Service

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 9, 2022

The state Cabinet on Tuesday approved the amendment of the Meghalaya Judicial Service Rules, 2006 and the Meghalaya Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2015.

Addressing media persons after the meeting, cabinet minister James K Sangma said the amendment came up after there was a full court meeting of the Meghalaya High Court on May 9, which resolved to amend Schedule B of the respective rules.

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“With regards to the Meghalaya Judicial Service Rules, Schedule B to the rules shall be amended to introduce one compulsory paper that is paper IV on either Khasi or Garo language and this paper shall be compulsory for which a maximum mark shall be fixed and unless a candidate secure the minimum marks fixed he shall stand disqualified and his performance in other papers shall not be evaluated,” he said.

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“With regards to the Meghalaya Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2015, similar provisions shall be included in schedule B making compulsory for the candidates to have knowledge of whether Khasi, Jaintia or Garo language including a compulsory paper on Khasi and Garo for the written examination and unless a candidate secure a minimum marks fixed he shall stand disqualified and his performance in other papers shall not be evaluated,” Sangma added.

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Meanwhile, the minister said that the decision was a welcome step considering that the state is also pushing for inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.