Mooshahary against ILP

Outgoing Guv bats for railways in Meghalaya

SHILLONG: Outgoing Governor RS Mooshahary on Saturday expressed his strong reservation against implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Meghalaya, saying that the restrictions would promote corruption and undue harassment to tourists desirous of visiting the State but would not be effective in checking influx.

Addressing a press conference at the Raj Bhavan prior to his departure, Mooshahary said that the ILP had been tried earlier but had failed to yield any positive result as far as preventing influx was concerned.

Governor Mooshahary admitted that there was a sense of insecurity among the people of the North eastern region, but pointed out that people here cannot achieve growth and development only ‘on their own’ and ‘in isolation’.

“If we shut our doors we will suffer alone,” he added.

Mooshahary said the fear of the people of the region that they are not ‘recognized by mainland India’ should be removed by application and promotion of Science and Technology.

Mooshahary also batted for introduction of railways in Meghalaya, stating that railways hold significance in this modern world. He allayed fears of influx saying that there is not much threat of influx in Meghalaya as the State falls under the Sixth Schedule which in itself provides for protection of the indigenous communities.

“Couple of hundreds of people working in coal mines cannot be termed as influx,” Mooshahary said,

while adding that influx is something where ‘immigrants try to displace the already settled population’.

“We have to be rational in our attitude,” he said, adding that people from outside come to the State with the intention of earning their livelihood.

The outgoing Governor said that the Autonomous District Councils in the State should be made more effective and their functioning has to be strengthened.