By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 3: The controversial Meghalaya State Investment Promotion and Facilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Assembly on Monday.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma introduced it in the House. He also tabled the Meghalaya Right to Public Services (Amendment) Rules, 2024.
The content of the MSIPF (Amendment) bill states that this may be called the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion and Facilitation (Amendment) Act, 2025 and it shall come into force on the date of its publication in the official gazette.
The amendment of section 2 states that the existing sub-section (vi) to sub-section (xix) of section 2 shall be renumbered as sub-section (vii) to sub-section (xx) and a new section (vi) shall be added, as (vi) “Autonomous District Councils” means Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).”
The amendment of section 4 states the existing sub-section (1) to sub-section (8) of section 4 shall be renumbered as sub-section (2) to sub-section (9) and a new sub-section (1) shall be added, as the nodal agency will be responsible for promoting the investment ecosystem in the state and taking up all activities relating to setting up industrial or service sector undertakings and the promotion of economic development in the state. This includes conducting investment facilitation, events, roadshow across the country and internationally, creation of land-banks through direct purchase of land or other means, and setting up of the offices.
In existing section 4, after sub-section (9), a new sub-section (10) shall be added, as the Invest Meghalaya Authority shall submit proposals for customized package of incentives for investments exceeding Rs 100 crore to the state Cabinet for approval.
Amendment of section 8 states sub-section 2 (a) of section 8 shall be omitted and substituted as subject to the overall control and superintendence of the government, the Governing Council shall provide overall policy guidance and directions under this Act, ensuring that the incentives under the policies will be provided to the industries which are creating employment for local people (individuals domicile of Meghalaya).
Amendment of section 9 reads the existing clause (h) of sub-section (2) of section 9 of the principal Act shall be omitted.
The amendment to section 13 reads, section 13 shall be omitted and substituted as the combined application form(s) (CAF) shall be prescribed, along with such fees, in lieu of existing forms prescribed under applicable Acts and Industrial Policy, as notified from time to time.
All appropriate authorities shall accept such CAF for processing and issuing required clearances. After the existing proviso of section 13, a new proviso shall be inserted – “provided further that where any form and fee has been prescribed for such clearances in any Acts or Rules enacted by the District Councils, the application shall be submitted only in that very form along with that fee to be submitted.”
Amendment of section 34 states that section 34 shall be omitted and substituted as this Act shall not be in derogation of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971.
Amendment of the name Invest Meghalaya Authority reads, the name “Invest Meghalaya Authority” in the principal Act wherever appearing shall be substituted by “Meghalaya Investment Promotion Authority” (MIPA).
Earlier, the government faced criticism over the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Bill. Pressure groups and political parties voiced their concern over the government’s move to hand over tribal land to non-tribal entities from outside the state in the name of investment and development.
