On August 27, the Meghalaya Assembly decisively rejected the Meghalaya Reservation for Non-Creamy Layer of Scheduled Tribes (in State Reservation Policy) Bill, 2024, in a voice vote. The bill, proposed by Adelbert Nongrum, an opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) legislator from North Shillong, failed to secure the necessary support. Following the vote, Assembly Deputy Speaker Timothy D. Shira announced, “The No’s have it, the motion is not carried and leave to introduce the Bill is not granted.”
Nongrum had argued that the bill aimed to provide reservation for the non-creamy layer of Scheduled Tribes within the state, aligning with the State Reservation Policy. He presented empirical data indicating that a significant portion of the Scheduled Tribe population in Meghalaya is economically disadvantaged. He referenced Articles 16 (4) and 15 (5) of the Indian Constitution, which allow states to ensure that reservation benefits reach the most disadvantaged citizens. Nongrum also cited a seven-judge constitutional bench of the Supreme Court, which had upheld the validity of sub-classification within Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories, further advocating for legislation to support the state’s economically weaker groups.
Despite these arguments, the proposal did not garner enough backing in the Assembly, marking a setback for those advocating for increased reservation provisions for the non-creamy layer of Scheduled Tribes in Meghalaya.
