Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement extends support to amend Scheduled Tribe list

A Reporter

SHILLONG: The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) State youth wing on Monday extended support to the demands made by the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Nongthymmai Pyllun (SNSNP) to amend the list of Scheduled Tribes/Castes in the Presidential Order 1950 by removing some of the STs on the list which are not indigenous to Meghalaya.

“There is a misuse of the privileges by other schedule tribes in Meghalaya and there was a notification issued by the Central Government on 2 May 1975 which was addressed to all the Chief Secretaries of different States. It pointed out that there has been misuse by other STs not belonging to that particular State. However our government was unable to implement act on the notification,” Thomas Passah, president of KHNAM SYW told reporters here at a press conference.

He pointed out that this list has benefited other schedule tribes from different States to avail jobs in Meghalaya and in turn deprive the indigenous STs of the State.

“In recent months, at FCI, most of the people availing jobs are from Rajasthan as they have claimed their ST quota in our State and hence this is not acceptable,” he said.

He said that as per the power conferred by the Constitution, it is the Parliament which can amend the list of Scheduled Tribes/Castes in the Presidential Order 1950.

The KHNAM leader also urged Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to take up the matter placed by the Synjuk seriously and not to discard their demands as it is a genuine issue.

Also read: Meghalaya news