SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Bill, 2016, after several amendments by the Select Committee, was passed by the Assembly on the last day of the session.
The amended Act says those living in rented houses will have to furnish requisite documents to police as well as the local authority. The local police station and the local authority will maintain a database of all tenants in their jurisdiction.
The Act also says a landlord will have to get clearance from the local authority subject to renewal. In case of existing tenants, both the landlord and his tenants must comply with the provisions of this Act within six months. Also, the landlord has to furnish documents like residential certificate, election photo identity card or ration card and photographs of tenants to the police station and the local authority.
The government will constitute task forces in all districts. A task force will be chaired by the DC and will have three officials and two non-official members. The Act says the government may establish a facilitation centre at such places, particularly at entry and exit points in the State. The centre in each district will be under the general direction, control and supervision of the respective district task force.
The duties and responsibilities of the facilitation centre, besides achieving the aims and objective enshrined in the Act, is to maintain a sharp lookout list of all wanted criminals and anti social elements.
The Act says the facilitation centre will allow entry of tourists or visitors into the State without causing any convenience and help in verification or identification of documents.
The government may also install CCTV cameras in the State capital, district headquarters and other strategic locations, like highways, and these will be connected to the central monitoring unit.
