By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Leader of Opposition Conrad K Sangma has decried the Government move to allot land to private universities in violation of an earlier executive order to keep on hold all proposals for transfer of land to non-tribal entities in terms of section 4 (e) and (f) of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971.
“The Government itself had issued an executive order suspending Section 4 (e) and (f) of the Land Transfer Act to pave way for an amendment of the Act. By allotting land to private universities the Government is violating its own decision,” Sangma said during Question Hour in the Assembly on Wednesday.
In reply, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Prof RC Laloo denied that the Government has transferred any land to private universities. Surprisingly, Prof Laloo’s had, in the first instance, told the House that the government has allocated land to the private universities.
“I want to clarify that so far no land has been handed over to the private universities. We are only considering whether it is possible to exempt the suspension of the Section 4 (e) and (f) of the Act so that the Government can allocate to the private universities in the overall interest of the State,” he replied.
Prof Laloo also informed that the government would try its level best to complete the much-anticipated amendment of the Land Transfer Act at the earliest.
“We have already received suggestions and views from various NGOs and stakeholders on the proposed amendment of the Act,” he stated.