SHILLONG: The State Government plans of inviting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Education sector in the State has been opposed by the Social Organisations of Meghalaya against Land Alienation (SOMALA) who have claimed that the draft Education Policy allows the government to allot land to the investors on long-term lease basis.
According to SOMALA convener W Antony, the move of the State Government is a direct slap to the demands put forth by the local NGOs who are currently agitating for the implementation of ILP in the State.
“At a time when there is a demand for implementation of ILP to prevent outsiders from taking control over our land, the State Government is coming up with this proposal to give away land to foreign investors,” Antony said. “If this is not a mockery for the indigenous people, then what is it?” he questioned.
The draft policy, which is posted on the website of the Meghalaya Education department inviting suggestions, states that “a reasonably large, but compact area of land may be purchased by the State Government and the same may be offered on long-term lease to private investors in Education at a profit”.
Reacting to this, the SOMALA convener said that the government has taken away much of the land available in New Shillong Township and further attempts to attract foreign investors will only alienate the tribals from their land while paving the way for rampant influx.
“If the government is really concerned about uplifting education in the State, it should start from scratch and conduct research on reputed educational institutes in the State to find out the actual number of indigenous students who are enrolled in those institutes,” Antony said.
Reminding that earlier the State Government had encouraged FDI in the mining sector as per the Meghalaya Mines and Minerals Policy 2012, Antony said, “If the government is proposing to sell off all our land to foreign investors then the Land Transfer Act will stand null and void and the locals will become landless.”
“This is nothing but invitation for more trouble and headache for the local populace of the State,” he said while reiterating that SOMALA will continue to oppose this proposed move of the State Government.