Shillong, Oct 19: In a landmark progress towards implementing the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) 2016 the state government on Friday approved budgetary provision for district authorities for the purpose.
With this, the deputy commissioners (DCs) would now be enabled to access funds for effective implementation of MRSSA, said law minister M Ampareen Lyngdoh after a cabinet meeting.
A revolving fund, minimum ₹2 lakh per district, has been established to support the activities of District Task Forces (DTFs), which are mandated to verify tenants as per the provisions of MRSSA.
However, the amount will vary based on the district’s requirements, especially those with bigger number of traditional bodies involved in monitoring under MRSSA, she said.
For monitoring, the DTFs need resources such as laptops, computers, internet facilities, and sitting fees for non-official members, TA/DA and other requirements.
“Many headmen in fact have been asking for laptops and computers so that they can enter the database of landlords and tenants in their locality,” said Cyril VD Diengdoh, secretary to state government (Home Police Department).
“Many localities in Shillong have already begun implementing MRSSA by entering landlord and tenant details into an online database accessible by both the police and the DTF,” he added.
The funds allotted to DCs would help the districts procure necessary tools to maintain the database and monitor residents effectively.
Meanwhile, the minister said the government is confident that MRSSA, enacted after careful consideration of Supreme Court advisories, would be implemented effectively with the new financial provisions in place.
