SHILLONG, MAR 14: The opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) on Friday demanded that the state government come up with a comprehensive full proof Meghalaya Land Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act to disallow the flight by night operators from exploiting the tribal lands.
“The state government needs to adopt some serious steps to bring in very strong amendments in the existing Act to protect the interest of the local indigenous people,” UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh said during the question hour in the assembly on Friday.
Reacting to the reply of the minister in-charge, who had earlier informed the assembly that the Act was amended by the state government on several occasion since 1975, Lyngdoh said, “The piece meal approach of the government to bring an amendment to the Act would not serve the purpose.”
“The lacunae in the existing Act had allowed the flight by night operations like the CM Jha to exploit and take advantage of the situation,” Lyngdoh stated.
Lyngdoh further sought assurance from the government to actively consider incorporating the views and suggested submitted by the various stakeholders, civil societies and elected representatives in the proposed amendment of the existing Act.
In his reply, deputy chief minister RC Laloo, holding revenue portfolio, informed that the state government is also contemplating to bring about a strong and effective Land Transfer Act.
“We are also working seriously if not actively in these lines. We are taking time to complete process since we would like to come with something very comprehensive to pluck out all the glaring lacunae in the existing act,” Laloo said.
Laloo also informed that the government had initiated several amendments in the existing Act in past many years since 1975. According to him, the last amendment was made in 2003.
Admitting that the government is aware of the demands put forth by different ngos on the matter, Laloo informed that the ngos had demanded an amendment of section 4(1) (e) and ( f) of the existing Act.
“Various departments have submitted their views and suggestions on the representation received from the ngos including Social Organization of Meghalaya Against Land Alienation (SOMALA), which are still under examination by the state government,” Laloo concluded. –By Our Reporter
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