Developed By: iNFOTYKE
SHILLONG: Amidst opposition, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Friday formally launched the public consultation exercise on the draft of the Meghalaya Regulation of Landlords and Verification of Tenants Bill.
Speaking at the launch function, the Chief Minister said that the Government is intending to come up with an institutionalized mechanism to address the burning issue of influx.
“It is not possible to check influx from the entry points. We must understand that even developed countries are not able to address the issue of illegal immigration,” Dr Sangma said.
The Chief Minister lamented that the pressure groups, in their demand for ILP have failed to see the positive initiative of the Government to come up with the Regulation of Landlords and Verification of Tenants Bill.
“I urge the people of the State to come forward in submitting their views and suggestions on the bill as we are trying to come up with a law to protect our future generations,” the Chief Minister said, while cautioning people to be careful as their views and suggestions would either make or mar the growth of the State.
“We need to strike a balance between the much needed growth and the security of our future generations,” Dr Sangma said.Making a reference to the Raghuram Rajan Committee report which mentioned Meghalaya as one of the least developed states in the country, the Chief Minister said that there is need to work together to achieve higher growth for the State.
Dr Sangma also made it clear that the State Government wants mining areas and commercial places where makeshifts camps are built to accommodate labourers to be covered under the Bill.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister reiterated that traditional institutions had a role to play in their respective areas to address the issue of influx as mandated under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Chief Advisor to the government and former Chief Minister, DD Lapang, said that the seriousness of the Government to address the issue of influx should not be doubted.
While stating that people should actively participate in submitting their views and suggestions, Lapang also said that the people should first go through the bill before giving their comments.
“We need to join our hands in these efforts of the Government. We cannot fight among ourselves since it an issue that concerns the identity of our indigenous people,” he said.
Prior to the launch of the public consultation, Principal Secretary (Political Department), KS Kropha made a power point presentation on the draft bill.
The public consultations will be conducted in all the 11 districts of the State and the respective deputy commissioners will notify the dates for holding the consultations.
To facilitate public consultations on the draft bill, the Government has constituted a Ministerial Committee with Community and Rural Development Minister, Prestone Tynsong, as the Chairman.
Power Minister Clement R Marak, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, Government Chief Whip Ronnie V Lyngdoh, Parliamentary Secretary Kennedy Khyriem, Parliamentary Secretary Justine Dkhar, Parliamentary Secretary Cherak W Momin were appointed as members of the committee.
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