Shillong, June 10: BJP leader and former cabinet minister AL Hek urged the state government to conduct a thorough feasibility study before introducing the Inner Line Permit (ILP) or the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), if they get the necessary go ahead from the Centre.
Speaking to reporters on the contentious issue on Wednesday, Hek said any new mechanism must balance the interests of local residents with those of visitors to the state.
The Pynthorumkhrah MLA Hek said the focus should be on what is “doable” and beneficial for all stakeholders.
“We first have to see what is doable. Which one we can do and which one we can’t,” Hek said.
He added that the primary consideration must be the welfare of the state’s population, while also accounting for outsiders, particularly tourists.
“So, the doable part only should be beneficial for all the people, not only for the people of Meghalaya. First, we have to see the interest of the people of the state of Meghalaya and also, we have to see the safety and interest of the people who are coming to the state of Meghalaya, particularly the tourists,” he said.
Asked about the way forward, Hek called for detailed study to ensure that any law does not adversely impact the state’s small population or deter visitors.
“The government should see what is doable and will not affect the small population of Meghalaya and the people who are coming to Meghalaya,” he said.
“Therefore, we have to study first before bringing these kinds of projects in the state of Meghalaya…what is important is that it should be doable for the interest of the state and also for the national interest,” he added.
Call for Eighth Schedule status for Khasi, Garo
Backing the MDA-II government’s strong stand on elevating status of Khasi and Garo languages, BJP leader and former cabinet minister AL Hek has urged the Centre to grant Eighth Schedule status to the two languages.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Hek said the state government has already taken the required administrative step, and the focus must now shift to New Delhi.
Referring to the recent recognition of Khasi and Garo as associate official languages through an ordinance, the BJP leader said the party would now impress upon the Union government to include them in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
“We have to appeal to the government of India to include Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule,” Hek said.
He mentioned that the BJP having two MLAs, including a cabinet minister, can pursue the demand with the Centre to ensure its fulfillment.
Letter to PM on FCRA
Meanwhile, the BJP leader said he met representatives of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India and North East India Christian Council to discuss the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, and urged the Centre to consult all stakeholders before bringing it.
“We met the deputy secretary of CCBI on June 8. We also had a meeting with NEICC, we met all pastors and discussed this issue,” Hek said.
He said a letter has been sent to the Prime Minister seeking wider consultation.
“We have sent a letter to the Prime Minister that before you bring this FCRA amendment bill, all stakeholders should be taken into consideration,” he said.
Hek also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 12 years in office.
“He is the longest-serving Prime Minister of our country and we are looking forward to Viksit Bharat in 2047. He is a game changer,” Hek said.
