The MUA II — consisting of the legislators of Congress, NCP and Independents — has struck down the demand of 10 pressure groups to implement Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the State.
Briefing reporters after a meeting of MUA-II held at his official residence on Wednesday night, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma asserted that issue of illegal migration can not be addressed by ILP.
The meeting was attended by as many as 38 legislators of the MUA II.
The meeting analysed the report of the High Level Committee on Influx which favoured implementation of ILP.
However, the MUA rejected the recommendation of the Committee.
The Chief Minister also read out the recommendation of the committee which according to him was open to many interpretations.
The recommendation favoured introduction of ILP throughout the State of Meghalaya through appropriate legislation which should include Garo Hills also, by looking into the legality of repeal order of 1897.
As per the recommendation, ILP could be restructured in a manner that would facilitate “the participation of traditional institutions, NGOs and civil society and due care be exercised so that genuine residents of the State should not be subjected to undue harassment.”
According to the Chief Minister, his Government was looking at other options including appointment of labour officers and strengthening of Directorate of Infiltration to address the issue of influx.
He said the MUA also discussed the draft tenancy Act and found this to be an effective mechanism to deal with the issue of influx among other measures.
Referring to the recommendations of High level Committee on influx, the Chief Minister said that it was up to the Centre to take the final call on ILP as there are number of changes proposed on ILP in its current form by the High Level Committee.
He pointed out that though Manipur Assembly passed a resolution on ILP, the Centre had not given its nod to it.
“We do not want to fool people by giving false promise of ILP implementation, hence we are adopting our own way of addressing the issue of influx through legislation and other means,” Dr Sangma said.
The Chief Minister said besides the formation of district-level task force to check influx , there are a number of existing laws which can be used to address the issue.
The legislative measure (proposed Tenancy Act) will be an effective tool to check influx, the Chief Minister said, adding that with the land transfer act, the right to purchase land by outsiders was prohibited and now the focus is to regulate the tenants who are staying in rented accommodations.
He said so far 39 posts of Labour Inspectors had been sanctioned and another 117 posts of officers would be sanctioned to strengthen the Directorate of Infiltration.
Dr Sangma said in the context of addressing influx effectively, Government would bring the new legislation, Tenancy Act which was unanimously accepted by the members of MUA.
