UDP to rake up MDA’s investment proposal

Shillong, Dec 29: Meghalaya Democratic Alliance coalition partner United Democratic Party (UDP) is planning to rake up the controversial investment promotion plan as the district council election draw closer.
The UDP has decided to convene a meeting to deliberate on the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion Facilitation Act, 2024 which will allow the Invest Meghalaya Authority (IMA) to buy land and lease the same to private investors.
UDP working president Titosstarwell Chyne on Sunday said the party leadership including the MLAs will deliberate thoroughly on the issue before officially communicating its stand to the state government.
Making it clear that the UDP was not questioning the initiative of the state government to attract private investors for creation of job opportunities, Chyne said, “The move of the government to establish the IMA has affected the sentiments of many stakeholders including the traditional institutions.”
According to him, the government should ensure that there is no dilution of the prevailing land tenure system at any cost.
Chyne, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the KHADC, mentioned that the KHADC had adopted an official resolution to urge the state government to seek views and opinions through consultation with the council and various stakeholders before implementing the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion Facilitation Act, 2024.
In its official resolution, the KHADC had stated that the Khasi land tenure system prevailing in the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid, and Dorbar Hima is an ideal practice which has preserved the socio cultural ethos of the Khasi community.
The KHADC further stated that the council is mandated under the provision of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India to protect and preserve the Khasi land tenure system within its jurisdiction.