Shillong, Aug 7: BJP leader and Pynthorumkhrah MLA AL Hek on Friday said the Union government has acknowledged his letter on the proposed FCRA Bill and assured that it will be “taken into consideration.”
Hek said he had written to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Rajya Sabha MP James Sangma on the matter.
The Home Ministry forwarded it to the Law and Justice Ministry, which responded that action would be taken.
“From day one, I have appealed to the Government of India to call all stakeholders and take their opinion before bringing the Bill to Parliament,” Hek said.
“If any amendment affects NGOs and SHGs doing humanitarian service, it should not impact them. That is why my request is to have a meeting and discuss with stakeholders first,” he added.
Hek said he has also met the Christian Forum of North East, Presbyterian Synod of Meghalaya and Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Delhi to discuss concerns over FCRA.
He added that he has requested the MDA’s Rajya Sabha MP to raise the issue in Parliament whenever the Bill is tabled.
On the issue of uranium mining in Meghalaya, he said his party won’t support it as long as the people are opposed to it.
“We cannot go against the interest of the people. So, when the people do not want uranium mining, we are also with the people of the state of Meghalaya,” he said.
However, he rejected the demand to shut down the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) office in Shillong.
Hek argued that AMD staff are only carrying out their duties as central government employees and that their presence does not mean mining will take place.
“Once the government of Meghalaya and the people of Meghalaya do not allow uranium mining, it ends there,” he said.
Woman leader among 9 aspirants for BJP ticket
Meanwhile, he said the state BJP is waiting for its central leadership to decide on the official candidate for the Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll from among nine aspirants, including one senior woman leader.
“We have not decided the official candidate. We are waiting for the decision to be taken by the national BJP leadership,” Hek said.
“There are nine aspirants who have applied for the ticket. Some are from politics, some from social service, and some from an educational background,” he added.
The Shillong parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of the sitting MP, necessitating the bypoll.
On the long-pending railway issue, Hek said it should be decided by the state and central governments, keeping the interests of the people in mind.
Asked about the delay in resolving the matter, Hek said the issue has been pending for a long time.
Hek added that the project should be pursued only if it benefits the people of the state.
“If it does not benefit, then also we will go with the people’s choice only,” he said.
