Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 574/15

GOVT CONVENES FOLLOW-UP MEETING WITH NGOS ON INFILTRATION

Shillong, August 14, 2015: The Chief Minister Dr.Mukul Sangma convened a meeting with the leaders of several NGOs to follow up on the measures that the Government has taken so far to address the issue of infiltration, here on Friday afternoon.

The meeting was also attended by Home Minister Roshan Warjri, Minister for Power Clement Marak, Chief Secretary P.B.O Warjri and Commissioner& Secretary, Political Department J. Lyngdoh, besides officials of Police, District Council Affairs and Law departments.

The meeting discussed the process of land acquisition for Facilitation Centres, Entry and Exit points and how to ensure expeditious implementation of the mechanism to deal with the issue of influx. It may be mentioned that the State Government had approved the proposal of the Political Department to give direction to the district administrations concerned for proceeding with land acquisition in respect of lands required for entry and exit points identified by the Committee which is led by Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh.

It may also be recalled that the State Cabinet had also constituted a Task Force which would monitor the progess and ensure timeline by all concerned as far as the various measures which are required to be taken by the different agencies of the Government and the officials who are tasked with different works. As far as the proposed amendment of the Meghalaya (Benami Transaction Prohibition) Act, 1980 and Meghalaya Regulation of Landlords and Verification of Tenants Bill, 2013 is concerned, a few suggestions were made during the course of discussion for fine-tuning of the clauses be incorporated to ensure that there is minimum inconvenience caused to the people while the Bill is enacted. The Chief Minister assured the NGOs of the Government’s commitment to solve the issue and that their concerns and suggestions were taken note of, saying they would meet again soon before consideration of the Cabinet on the proposed bills.