Conrad likely to meet pressure groups over work permit row

SHILLONG, July 17: A meeting will be held soon between Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and the leaders of various pressure groups to solve the confusion on the issue of work permit system.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar told reporters on Wednesday he was unofficially informed that the leaders of the pressure groups have sought an appointment with the Chief Minister’s Office.
“We are ready to address the concerns expressed by the various pressure groups. I am hopeful that the meeting between the CM and the leaders of the pressure groups will put an end to the current stalemate,” Dhar said.
Stating that there could be lapses by the Labour department, he said if there is a problem, it cannot be solved on the road and it needs to be deliberated across the table towards finding a solution.
He urged the leaders of the pressure groups to exercise restraint, stating that the state needs the migrant workers to do things which the local labourers cannot. “Let us work together for the betterment and overall development of the state,” he said.
To a query, he said the ongoing drive to check work permit will have a negative impact as many of the migrant workers would leave the state. This kind of development will definitely have an impact on the government and the private projects, he added.
A large number of migrant workers have reportedly left the state in view of the documents checking drive carried out by the KSU and other pressure groups.
Although the exact number of workers who left could not be ascertained, officials fear that the number is significant enough to affect the ongoing road projects being implemented across the state.
A senior official of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited had told The Shillong Times that the work on some of their projects would be affected as the migrant labourers left the state.
According to the official, there are hardly any labourers from outside who want to come and work in Meghalaya.