SHILLONG, Aug 27: The Khasi Hills Achik Joint Action Committee (KHAJAC) has urged the state government to make language requirements for District Selection Committee (DSC) recruitment optional, allowing candidates to sit for examinations in either Khasi or Garo.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the Governor on Thursday, KHAJAC representative Manuel ChMarak said the current policy-which requires Garo in the Garo Hills and Khasi in the Khasi Hills-disadvantages Garo candidates residing in the Khasi Hills.
Marak pointed out that a significant Garo population has lived in the Khasi Hills for generations and should not be denied equal government recruitment opportunities due to region-specific language rules. He argued that as both Khasi and Garo are official languages of Meghalaya, candidates should be given the choice to use either.
The committee stated that the present arrangement prevents Garo candidates in the Khasi Hills from competing on an equal footing, particularly those more comfortable with their mother tongue. Seeking the Governor's intervention, KHAJAC called for a policy review to ensure language does not act as a barrier to government employment.