Shillong: The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, on Monday, revisited the longstanding issue of including Khasi and Garo languages in the eighth schedule.
During the session, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma responded to MLA Hesvingstone Kharpran’s query, stating that the matter remains pending with the Union Government.
The CM gave no clear directives or details provided regarding the requirements for inclusion of the two languages in the eighth schedule.
Notably, in 2018, the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly passed a resolution urging the Centre to include both languages in the eighth schedule.
Conrad Sangma revealed that the state government has already penned nine letters to the Union Government, urging expedited action and approval of the demand. However, progress has been hindered by the Union Government’s communication, which has reiterated the absence of fixed criteria for inclusion of languages in the eighth schedule.
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Several MLAs, including Ardent Basaiawmoit and Adelbert Nongrum, expressed dissatisfaction with the vague nature of the Union Government’s responses, questioning the reasons behind the delay in including the two languages.
Mawhati MLA Charles Marngar raised concerns over potential delays by the Centre, pointing out past instances where the Union Government approved the inclusion of the Bodo language while overlooking similar requests for Khasi and Garo.
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