SHILLONG, July 21: Even as pressure groups step up demands for the immediate and full implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), the East Khasi Hills district administration on Tuesday held consultations with traditional heads from both urban and rural areas to strengthen tenant registration and expand the Act’s reach across the district.
The two meetings, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal at the district conference hall, brought together representatives of urban localities, Dorbar Shnongs, traditional Dorbar Raids and Elakas. Notably, this was the first time the district administration convened a meeting with chiefs and heads of various Elakas and Raids to deliberate on the implementation of the Act.
Speaking to reporters after the meetings, Baranwal said the administration’s immediate priority is to ensure that every tenant residing in East Khasi Hills, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or place of origin, is registered under the MRSSA.
“Our focus is on ensuring that all tenants, irrespective of their ethnicity, religion or permanent residence, are registered as mandated under the Act,” he said.
The Deputy Commissioner explained that while the district administration has been holding regular meetings with Dorbar Shnongs and locality representatives over the years, this was the first interaction with traditional chiefs because they do not have a direct statutory role under the existing provisions of the Act.
“We reached out to them because we want their support in ensuring proper implementation of the MRSSA, particularly in rural and suburban areas that fall under their respective Elakas,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the district administration also reviewed the progress made by 16 pilot localities selected by the government for the initial implementation of the online tenant registration system. These localities have been provided laptops, internet connectivity and multiple rounds of training to facilitate digital registration of tenants and serve as model localities for the rest of the district.
Baranwal described the meeting with the pilot localities as “fruitful”, saying participants shared several practical suggestions to simplify the registration process.
Among the recommendations was the provision of downloadable spreadsheets containing registered tenant details that could be easily shared with the police whenever required instead of manually compiling records.
Another suggestion was to allow Rangbah Dongs to make entries in the portal, as currently registrations can only be completed by landlords or tenants. Participants also proposed the development of a mobile application to make the process more accessible.
“The suggestions are simple and practical. We have noted them and will take them up with the government so that the implementation process becomes easier,” Baranwal said.
He, however, emphasised that while the government would continue to provide technical support and training, the success of the MRSSA largely depends on the active participation of localities and Dorbar Shnongs. He observed that while some localities have implemented the system effectively, others are yet to catch up.
“If some localities can implement it successfully, there is no reason why others cannot. There has to be ownership from the localities themselves,” he said, adding that zonal magistrates would continue visiting localities and conducting awareness meetings with landlords and tenants to encourage compliance.
The Deputy Commissioner said the administration monitors the implementation through an online dashboard that provides real-time data on tenant registrations, approvals and rejected applications. The information is accessible to both the district administration and the office of the Superintendent of Police.
Responding to questions on demands from pressure groups seeking immediate implementation of the MRSSA while amendments to the legislation are pending with the Union Ministry, Baranwal said the government’s position remains clear.
“The government wants the MRSSA to be implemented and we have been receiving clear directions to ensure its implementation. Any support from civil society organisations is welcome, but ultimately the implementation has to happen at the locality level,” he said.
He added that the district administration would continue extending all necessary technical assistance and training to localities and village authorities to ensure effective implementation of the Act throughout the district.
On the differing views expressed by organisations over the adequacy of the existing Act, Baranwal declined to comment, saying policy decisions regarding amendments are matters for the government and that the district administration would implement whatever directions are issued.
