Shillong, Mar 11: The state government has decided to bring amendments to the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion & Facilitation Act (MSIPFA), 2024 to address concern of land alienation even as the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), one of the main opposing groups, remained firm on its demand for repeal of the Act.
The government decision to amend MSIPFA came after suggestion from different stakeholders including citizens in the past several months.
As government gears up to amend the Act, the KSU is seeking repeal of the Act. The student body raised their concern on the Act and marched to the Assembly premises today, following which they were called for talks.
The KSU delegates had meeting with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma in presence of deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong and chief secretary DP Wahlang to address concerns raised over the Act that aims to facilitate investments in the state.
A release issued by the CMO Meghalaya said, that three amendments were proposed by the government to ensure that MSIPFA won’t dilute the provisions of The Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971 or bypass the authority of autonomous district councils (ADCs).
The proposed amendments would ensure that MSIPFA would not dilute any provision of the Land Transfer Act. The amendments would also ensure that MSIPFA does not bypass any provision of the ADCs.
There will be another amendment to reserve 90 per cent jobs in non-managerial positions and 50 per cent in managerial positions for local youth.
Expressing confidence that the proposed amendments would be able to address the concern of citizens, the chief minister said the government would continue to engage with any organisation, including traditional bodies, to ensure that MSIPFA would be in the interest of the people.
The amended Act will ensure full protection of the rights of the indigenous people, he said.
“We are committed towards the interest of our people. Our intention is to ensure that through this investment Act, we are able to attract investments, which will facilitate in creation of job opportunities for our people as well as ensure growth and development of the state,” he said.
However, the KSU refused to accept the government’s assurance to amend the Act and demanded for its repeal and also asked all 60 legislators to reject the Act.
According to KSU, the government has assured that draft rules for the amendments would be prepared in the next session of the Assembly after holding a consultation with all stakeholders.
Expressing its dissatisfaction over outcome of the meeting, KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah said, “We told the government your verbal assurance cannot be accepted as we still remain apprehensive… it should be scrapped immediately.”
He said the KSU’s central executive committee will be meeting very soon to decide on its next course of action on the matter.
Appealing to all 60 legislators to reject MSIPFA, Thabah said, “At this juncture all should reject the principal Act of the MSIPFA, 2024. It is important for tribal legislators to speak out on behalf of the people when this Bill is being introduced in the Assembly.”
“We have already sent memorandums to all 60 MLAs so it is up to them (now),” he added.
He also said the proposed amendments are not sufficient to safeguard the rights of the indigenous tribal communities.
“We impressed upon the government that this Act should be repealed, if it is only investor-friendly and not people-friendly,” he stated.
