CM confirms Centre’s
ILP letter
SHILLONG: With the backing from the Centre, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Thursday reiterated that the State Government is looking at other mechanisms than ILP to deal with the issue of influx.
Dr.Sangma confirmed that Government had received a letter from the Centre rejecting the proposal to implement Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the State.
“It is true that we have received a letter from the Centre rejecting the proposal to implement the ILP,” Dr Sangma said while addressing newsmen here on Thursday.
The Joint Secretary (North East) in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs Shambhu Singh on Wednesday informed that the Centre had sent a letter to the Meghalaya government rejecting the demand for introduction of ILP in the state.
The Chief Minister said that the Government was committed to address the issue of influx and it is an integral part of the commitment of the party which is reflected in manifesto.
While revealing the content of the letter, he said it reflects the views of the Centre that from the legal perspective, ILP cannot be implemented in respect of Meghalaya.
“The letter also says that a law of this nature has serious consequences on the progress and development of the State,” Chief Minister said.
When asked if the letter made any mention about the intention of the Centre to repeal ILP from other States of the region where it is applicable, he said that nothing was mentioned in this regard.
“But if it is contended as an instrument which can have serious ramification on the growth and development of a State, then it there is no harm to examine whether ILP should be continued on other States,” Chief Minister said.
Since ILP is not an effective mechanism, he said that the Government has suggested alternative measures to have a mechanism which is institutionalized and comprehensive.
“But we are also not saying that we want to be bulldozed and implement the alternative mechanism which we have suggested. The Government wants consultation and discussion on the alternate mechanism which we have provided,” Chief Minister stated.
While referring to the ongoing consultation on the proposed draft Meghalaya Landlords and Verification of Tenants Bill, 2013, he said that the Government has given people a platform to give their suggestions and recommendations and they can even propose some other alternative mechanism.
Dr Sangma however said that some of the traditional institutions like the Rangbah Shnong have deliberated, discussed and examined the existing mechanisms which they are implementing which are effective enough to deal with the issue of influx.
“Therefore, I have suggested the Ministerial Committee headed by the Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong to have an in depth study on the mechanisms as per the contention of the Rangbah Shnong,” he said.
Stating if they found that the mechanisms suggested by Rangbah Shnong are effective and strong enough to deal the issue of influx and illegal immigration, Chief Minister said that the Government would further institutionalize such mechanisms “which can fit into the kind of situation which we are talking about”.
He also said that the Government would restrategise the consultation exercise with the people in view of what had happened last time in the first attempt.
“We would examine a few mechanisms suggested by traditional institutions and then proceed with the consultation exercise,” Dr Sangma said
He said that the Government has also decided to enlighten the people at the grass root level to have a clarity on the basic aspect on ILP and other mechanisms which are in the offing to tackle the issue of influx.
“We have decided to educate the people on the request of the party leaders that many of the people who attended the rally organized by the pressure groups wanted to have a clarity on the basic aspect of ILP and other options which are available,” Chief Minister added.