VPP President ends fast after official declaration for reviewing Reservation Policy by Expert Committee

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 1, 2023

The indefinite hunger strike embarked by Voice of People Party (VPP) President and Nongkrem Legislator Ardent Miller Basiawmoit came to a victorious end on Thursday afternoon with the official declaration for reviewing the 51’s years old Meghalaya State Reservation Policy (MSRP) by an Expert Committee.

The fire brand legislator from Nongkrem Constituency started his indefinite hunger strike for demanding the revision of Reservation Policy in front of the Meghalaya Main Secretariat, Shillong on May 23, last but shifted to the Parking Lots adjacent to the Additional Secretariat, Shillong till the end of his fast.

The democratic and peaceful agitation embarked by Basaiawmoit was supported by several social organizations and thousands of students and general public who all agreed on the immediate need for reviewing the Reservation Policy, which has already crossed its golden jubilee year.

Informing his decision to call off his indefinite hunger strike amidst the presence of a large crowd, the Voice of People Party President said they are victorious as the Government has issued a notification for constituting the Expert Committee for reviewing the Reservation Policy.

The Nongkrem Legislator informed that the party will ensure that the system of backdoor appointments and the practices of nepotism and favortism in recruitment should come to a permanent end.

He also said that the party will write to the Government to ensure that politically connected persons are not appointed as member of either Meghalaya Public Service Commission or District Selection Committee.

Mentionably on Thursday’s morning, a notification was issued vide memo No. PER (AR).25/2022/PtII/13 Dated 1st June, 2023, which read, “The Governor of Meghalaya is pleased to notify an Expert Committee to review the State Reservation Policy as notified in Resolution PER.222/71/138 dated Shillong, the 12th January, 1972.”

The Chairperson and Members of the Committee shall consist of experts in Constitutional Law, Economics, Sociology, Demographic Studies and related fields which shall be notified by the Government of Meghalaya, the notifcation said.

The notification notified that the Expert Committee shall undertake a review of the State Reservation Policy by obtaining views from all stakeholders and by conducting field visits to all parts of the State.

It may be mentioned here that the first sitting of the reconstituted Committee of All Political Parties on Wednesday resolved to recommend to MDA Government for the constitution of an Expert Committee to review the Meghalaya State Reservation Policy 1972.

The Committee of All Political Parties was reconstituted on Tuesday to discuss on the issue of Reservation Policy as demanded by the Voice of People Party (VPP), which was initially constituted for discussing on the Reservation Roster.