KHNAM expresses concern over retrospective implementation of roster system

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 10, 2023

The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) on Monday expressed its concern over the alleged implementation of the retrospective roster system by the state government.

In a statement, KHNAM working president Thomas Passah said in multiple meetings the Government has attempted to mislead political parties and the general public at large on the issue.

“However, the latest results of Meghalaya Police declared on 28th June 23 it is seen that 41.63% (420) Khasi-Jaintia candidates were selected and 46.18% (466) Garo candidates were selected  which implies that the result was declared based on the retrospective roster system,” Passah said while adding “Therefore, we would reiterate that the new OM dated 14 June 23 is a roster with hidden backlog because the data were collected from 1972 while maintaining the roster register.” 

He said that as per the RTI reply received from the Personnel Department on July 5, the party was informed that NIL departments have initiated/started maintenance of roster registers.

“Therefore, the legal question is how Govt department can bring into operation the roster system without maintaining the roster register. When asked whether the OM dated 14 June 23 have indicated the month and year from which the roster accounting will start? The Govt. seems to shy away from replaying.”

“It seems that the general public of the state of Meghalaya are being followed by the Government and Political parties when it comes to the Amendment of RP 1972 and the Roster System,” he said while assuring that “We will dig to the bottom to find out all the trick and foul mean the Government is trying to use to fool everyone.”

Further, the KHNAM also slammed the political parties for delaying to submit their representation on the reservation policy.

Passah recalled that the meeting convened by the committee of all political parties on the reservation policy on May 31, had taken a decision that all political parties were to submit their representation along with justification within 15 days.

“KHNAM has submitted its representation along with a justification vide letter dated 31st May 2023. However, it is regretted to learn as per the press statement of the Law Minister that “No political parties have submitted their representation till date”. This is a violation of the decision taken in a meeting held on 31st May 23 and very unprofessional on behalf of all concern,” he said.

He said that the use of delay tactics in addressing issues of public importance is not a new thing and we are not surprised.

“In the All political party meeting the KHNAM, UDP, HSPDP, VPP and INC have express their views to review the outdated RP 1972, however it seems that since the matter is off the street everyone has taken a vocation from the important issue which put a questions on their seriousness on the issue,” Passah said.

He further added, “During the all political party meeting held on 31st May 2023 we have expressed fear that the Expert Committee would be just another delay tactic which will slow down the process of review of the RP, and as things are going it seems our fear is right. After more than a month now after the 31st May 2023, things have been moving at a snail pace which is highly unacceptable?”