MAWKYRWAT: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) South West Khasi Hills District has expressed disappointment over the negligence of the government officials alleging that outsiders are working without work permits or valid documents.
The KSU on Monday questioned the state government on the status of the District Task Force (DTF), District Level Team (DLT) in the district and Labour Officers in Mawkyrwat, Ranikor and Mawsynram C&RD Blocks who are supposed to deal with the issue of influx.
KSU, South West Khasi Hills president, Forwardman Nongrem, said that the District Task Force was formed according to the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016 while the District Level Team was formed according to the Work Permit System to register the labourers from outside the state. “In Mawsynram C&RD Block (East Khasi Hills), Mawkyrwat and Ranikor C&RD Block (South West Khasi Hills), the Labour Officers were appointed, but it seems that the officers are getting salary without doing any work,” Nongrem said.
The union had sought information through RTI many times from the office of the Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills regarding the registration of outsiders under the
Work Permit System, but the District Level Team has failed to show the registration reports.
“We have also sought information about the functioning of the DTF, but it was found that the DTF and the DLT only existed for namesake in the district. This shows that the district administration and the Labour Officers are not working, but only getting the benefits,” Nongrem said.
He also said that the district has never witnessed any checking from district administration on work permit or punish the tenants who are not registered under the MRSSA. “We have spoken with the DC about these issues, but it seems that it will bear no fruits. We have been patient with the government but there will be a time when we will conduct agitations in the district by marching towards the DC’s office or Labour Officer’s office to protest against the inability of the government to implement the law in spirit,” he said.
The KSU has also requested the MLAs of Mawsynram, Ranikor and Mawkyrwat to take up the issue of ILP with the government. Nongrem also requested the Dorbar Shnong especially in the border areas to be alert and prepared to fight for protection of the Jaitbynriew.