Shillong, Aug 26: The state government is pursuing with the Centre clearance for the Meghalaya Residents, Safety and Security (Amendment) (MRSSA) Bill, 2020 while simultaneously scaling up enforcement of the existing MRSSA 2016, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday.
“Multiple discussions are taking place and we are very hopeful that we will be able to take forward the MRSSA 2020 and get it implemented. We are still waiting as there are some more issues to be resolved,” Sangma told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
He said meetings have been held at the levels of the Union Home Minister, Home Secretary and Chief Secretary.
On implementation of MRSSA 2016, the Chief Minister said the government is expanding registration across localities with the help of traditional heads.
“We have done registrations in multiple locations and the Rangbah Shnongs and locality headmen have been involved. The expansion is happening as we speak,” he said.
The chief minister said the government is developing mobile-based face recognition technology to overcome logistical challenges.
“It will be very easy for headmen to implement if it can be accessed on any mobile. Otherwise it requires a laptop, camera, data entry person and a room. We have 6,500 villages and localities, so providing infrastructure everywhere is a big challenge,” he said.
He added that work is also underway to complete and operationalize facilitation centres for tourists, which is part of the 2016 Act.
MRSSA registration via mobile app
On MRSSA 2016, Sangma said registration of outsiders staying on rent has gone up with more localities adopting it, but expansion is slow due to infrastructure demands.
“We have 6500 plus, almost 7000 localities cum villages. Providing computers, data entry operators everywhere is a massive exercise,” he said.
He said the government is building a mobile-based face recognition app to simplify the process.
“It will be very easy for headmen if it can be accessed on any mobile for scanning face, documents and uploading to a central database. It will help increase pace of registration,” he said.
Facilitation centres
On facilitation centres, Sangma admitted to miscommunication over the Umling centre being called a food court.
“There will be a food court but the first part is going to be a facilitation centre. Earlier, it was 300 sq ft, now it will be 1000 sq ft with further expansion of 2000 sq ft,” he said, adding a joint inspection will be done with KSU members.
He said construction should finish in 2-3 months and the Umling centre should be operational before Christmas. Land for Ratacherra and Athiabari is yet to be purchased.
