SHILLONG: The Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong (SKRS) has rejected the proposed Meghalaya Landlord and Verification of Tenants Bill, 2013.
In a letter submitted to Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Tuesday, SKRS general secretary RL Blah said that after thorough deliberation on the issue, the association has unanimously resolved to reject it outright on grounds that the proposed Bill as is not related or relevant when it comes to restricting influx of illegal migrants and instead paves way for ‘infiltration’ into the State.
The SKRS passed the resolution to oppose the proposed Tenancy Bill during its general meeting held on Saturday last. The meeting was attended by Dorbar Shnong from within and outside Shillong together with the Mawlai Town Dorbar (comprising of 15 Dorbar Shnong), Nongthymmai Pyllun (comprising of 13 Dorbar Shnong) and Ka Synjuk ki Nongsynshar Shnong Shilling Umkhen (comprising of 15 Dorbar Shnong).
Meanwhile, in a separate press statement, Blah also urged the various Dorbar Shnong to unitedly oppose the proposed Bill which allegedly infringes into the prevailing customs and practices of the traditional institutions.
“The proposed bill undermines the traditional bodies including the Dorbar Shnong which is unacceptable. One must understand that the traditional bodies function as per the existing customs and practices,” Blah said.
“While the Government is claiming that the Tenancy Bill would help to curb influx, the draft is silent on the issue,” he added.
The SKRS had earlier boycotted the inauguration of the public consultation exercise on the proposed draft which was inaugurated by the Chief Minister.
Earlier on Saturday, the Bill was unanimously rejected by the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong and Durbar Shnong of Shillong and its sub-urban areas citing that the draft bill does not have any ingredient and provision for checking and preventing unabated illegal immigrants coming from across the international borders into Meghalaya and also it does not have any provision for checking unabated influx of inter-state migrants into Meghalaya. Moreover, the meeting also criticized the MUA government for diverting the public from ILP to Tenancy Bill .
The meeting had decided to send copies of the resolution to Ministers, Chief Secretary, MPs, MLAs, MDCs, all traditional heads of Meghalaya including the Durbar Shnong of other towns and villages, the Syiems, the Lyngdoh, Sirdars, Wahadadar, Dolois, Nokmas and other traditional institutions with an appeal to reject the draft Bill in toto.