Guv awaits green signal from Centre over MRSSA Bill

 Malik made the assurance to a delegation of the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organizations (CoMSO) during a meeting held at the Raj Bhavan on Friday.

“He (governor) has assured us that he would request the home ministry for a green signal to give assent to the amendment bill,” CoMSO chairman Robertjune Kharjahrin told reporters after the meeting.

The amendment bill was passed by the state Assembly on March 19, earlier this year.

“After the government had forwarded the bill, the former governor, Tathagata Roy had sought clarification on various points and had even suggested the need to send the Bill to the President of India (for examination),” Kharjahrin said.

Stating that technically the amendment bill is pending with the governor, he said the delegation has briefed the governor about its importance for the protection of the indigenous people.

“The governor expressed that he well understands the aspiration of the indigenous people and that he is on the same page with the chief minister and the people of Meghalaya. Agreeing with the principal bill, the governor also assured that he is ready to grant assent if the ministry gives a green signal,” he said.

The Bill stressed on the need to verify and regulate the entry of persons to Meghalaya and also to regulate the tenants or any other persons residing in rented houses or any other places in the state apart from the existing provisions of the Principal Act.

Stating that the amendment bill is an ILP-like mechanism, Kharjahrin said it makes it mandatory for every person who intends to stay in the state for more than 48 hours to furnish information in the manner prescribed under the rules.

The Bill further stated that any person who wilfully fails to furnish the information or provides false formation as required as per section 4A shall be liable to be punished under section 176 and /or section 177 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, he said.

Asked, the CoMSO chairman said that the difference between the MRSSA, 2016 and amendment bill is that the former does not have provisions of the ILP.

“With regards to the facilitation centres (or entry-exit points), the MRSSA, 2016 does not point out the need for mandatory registration of people from outside but only says they need to fill a form and get an acknowledgment slip,” he said.

He however said that implementation of the MRSSA bill cannot expect to be effective like the ILP which also takes care of matters relating to land, forest and other issues.

Meanwhile, the delegation also sought the intervention of the Governor for immediate implementation of the ILP in the state.

Asked, Kharjahrin said the governor has maintained that he has very little say on the ILP as it is a subject under the central government.

“He (governor) however assured that he is willing to go along with the chief minister to Delhi to pursue the ILP demand with the Centre,” he added.

By Our Reporter