The Meghalaya reservation policy report will be placed before the Assembly in the Budget session proposed to be held from mid-February, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said after a cabinet meeting on Friday. The reservation policy provides significant quotas for major tribes (Khasi-Jaintia and Garo), other ST/SCs, and an open category, generally reserving 80 per cent for STs in jobs/education (40 per cent each for Khasis/Garos), 5 per cent for other STs/SCs, and 15 per cent for general/unreserved.
This 1972 framework came under review by an expert committee due to demographic changes, with reports suggesting adjustments for economic factors and fairness. Speaking on the Cabinet discussions, the Chief Minister said the committee’s report will be tabled during the Budget session. “Based on the proposal to hold the Budget session from mid-February, the cabinet has decided that it will be most appropriate to place the report of the expert committee during the session,” Sangma told reporters.
The CM added that the government has proposed convening the Budget session from February 16 to 27, pending approval from the Governor. “We have proposed to the governor and are waiting for his nod. Once he approves and gives the order, it will be formalised, but we have already proposed the dates,” he said. Details of the committee’s findings were not disclosed, but the government confirmed the report will be presented in the Assembly as per established procedures once the session begins.