By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: There is a rising demand to amend and enforce the Meghalaya Transfer of Land Regulation Act 1971, before implementing the current Industrial Policy, taking into consideration the suggestions submitted by the NGOs, land owners, and the rulers of the Khasi States, the spokesperson of traditional institutions John Kharshiing said on Friday.
Releasing the resolution adopted at the 4th Peoples Parliament held at Mairang,West Khasi Hills recently, Kharshiing said that there is a need to ensure that the spirit of Land Transfer Act is respected.
There was demand from NGOs in the past that the Government should adopt a mechanism to check alienation of land as the industries have set up their units with ulterior motives.
Besides the present Land Transfer Act, the meeting also wanted amendment to several acts and rules which are detrimental to the indigenous people of the State.
There were acts, rules and regulations, passed by the Indian Parliament and Centre such as the Indian Registration Act 1908, The Indian Forest Act 1927, The Forest Conservation Act 1980, The Land Acquisition Act 1894, The Mines Act 1952, Coal Mines Nationalisation Act 1973, and many others which have caused much conflict to the people in the State and which are in total contradiction to the rights of the indigenous people, according to Kharshiing.
Another resolution of the meeting was to urge the State and the Centre to allocate specific budgetary allocation to the 54 Hima/Elaka in Khasi Hills, 19 Elaka in Jaintia Hills and for the 1500 Nokmas (Council of Nokmas) in Garo Hills, so as to enable them to administer the 6500 villages approximately, while discharging their executive, legislative, and judicial duties including monitoring and implementing various development schemes, provided for the citizens.