By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 3: VPP MLA from North Shillong, Adelbert Nongrum, on Monday told the Assembly that the Invest Meghalaya policy is a conspiracy aimed at sidelining local entrepreneurs in favour of large investors from outside the state.
Moving a zero-hour notice, Nongrum highlighted the protest by Michael Syiem, chairman of the Maitshaphrang Tourism Promotion Group (MTPG), outside the State Secretariat. Syiem is opposing the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited’s (MeECL) refusal to renew the lease for tourism promotion activities at Lumpondeng Island, located within Umiam Lake.
Nongrum reminded the House that since 1997, MeECL had been leasing Lumpondeng Island to Syiem. Over time, tourism activities led to ecological restoration — reversing deforestation and allowing wildlife to return.
Questioning the government’s decision to deny lease renewal, Nongrum said, “On one hand, you are refusing to renew the lease for a local tourism promotion group that has added significant value. On the other hand, you are offering similar MeECL land around Umiam Lake to large investors from outside. Let the people judge this contradiction.”
Reiterating his claim that the Invest Meghalaya policy is a conspiracy, he added, “Anyone can visit the Invest Meghalaya website. It clearly shows that a 300-acre land bank is being offered at Umiam, divided into four plots, all marked as MeECL land. This land is designated for a new industrial estate, ready for notification.”
“So while Michael Syiem is protesting outside, I am standing here to question the government’s policy. Are you abandoning local entrepreneurs in favour of big players? Is the Invest Meghalaya policy pro-outsider and anti-local? The people deserve a clear explanation,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, Power Minister AT Mondal, in his response, informed the House that the land lease issue with MTPG had been amicably resolved.
According to the minister, the 40.72-acre island was leased to MTPG for 10 years, from February 7, 1997, to February 6, 2007, at an annual rent of Rs 10,000, with a 5% annual increment.
In November 2024, MTPG was notified that the lease would not be extended as MeECL required the land. However, on January 15, 2025, Syiem requested an extension to pursue the matter with the relevant authorities. The request was granted, extending the deadline to February 15, 2025.