SHILLONG, Dec 22: The VPP on Sunday expressed stiff opposition to the government’s move to empower Investment Meghalaya Agency to acquire land for the purpose of allotment to investors in the name of promoting ease of doing business.
VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh said, “Land is one of the most crucial assets for tribal identity and livelihood. The government cannot hide in the name of development and promotion of ease for doing business. This sounds like giving legitimacy for land-grabbing to certain business interests.”
Earlier, VPP chief Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit had claimed that government agents are buying land from the Raid, which they will ultimately sell to the government at exorbitant prices. The government will then allot the land to private investors under the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Act.
Basaiawmoit noted that private investors from outside cannot buy Raid land due to the Land Transfer Act.
He warned that the government’s policy is dangerous as it may lead to the depletion of Raid land in 10 to 15 years.
“We strongly oppose this policy, as it goes against the interest of our own people,” he said.
