MDA Govt seriously pursuing with Centre for inclusion of Garo, Khasi language in 8th Schedule: Marak

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 8, 2023

Cabinet Minister Marcuise N Marak on Wednesday said the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is continuously pursuing with the Centre for immediate inclusion of Garo and Khasi languages in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

Speaking to reporters, Marak said, “The CM is very serious (about the issue). In fact, the home secretary was also saying that everytime he (CM) goes to Delhi he will try to drop in there also and he has been enquiring every now and then so that pressure is on. The pressure is sincerely put up by the chief minister. He had also met the home minister several times.”

Marak, who is holding charge of PHE, was also part of the delegation led by NPP Tura MP Agatha K Sangma and Speaker Thomas A Sangma which met the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials as follow up on the status of the proposal for inclusion of Garo language in the Eighth Schedule. The Achik Literature Society (ALS) was also present.

The minister informed that the MHA joint secretary had informed the delegation that Garo language is also one among the 38 languages, which are waiting for the consideration by the Government of India.

“They never omitted or deleted any language which has applied for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule. Accordingly, the joint secretary of MHA has assured us that he will send the letter that it is already there in the list for consideration and that you don’t have to worry and the letter will be sent to the ALS and chief minister as well,” he said.

Marak said that the decision on the matter will be taken by the government of India. He informed that the delegation had also tried to meet Union home minister Amit Shah for his intervention but could not because he was busy visiting neighbouring states.

The minister also said since the confusion which was lingering around us has been resolved, now we will combine to put pressure on the Government of India.