Govt to soon hold consultation with pol parties on MRSSA amendment

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 20, 2019

SHILLONG: The state government will soon hold a consultative meeting with all political parties for their views and suggestions on the proposed amendment of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016 to check influx and illegal immigration into the state.

Informing this here on Friday, deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong said most of the pressure groups have already submitted their views and suggestions to the government on the matter and holding consultation with them may not be required.

“We will therefore soon hold consultations with all political parties as well as legislators for their views and suggestions on this regard,” he said.

After the consultation is completed, the deputy chief minister said that the government would place the proposed amendment before the state Cabinet for its approval. “We may also pass the proposed amendment in the form of an ordinance,” he said.

Tynsong said pending consultation with all stakeholders was one of the reasons that the state government decided not to introduce the proposed amendment of the MRSSA, 2016 in the just concluded Assembly’s autumn session.

“We do not want the proposed amendment Bill to unnecessarily be referred to the select committee. If it is referred to the select committee, the Bill will have to be re-introduced in the House till next year,” he said.

Earlier, the pro-ILP groups under the banner of the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organizations (CoMSO) has suggested the need to incorporate the provisions of the Inner Line Permit in the proposed amendment of the MRSSA, 2012 to prevent illegal entry and settlement of outsiders.

The Khasi Students’ Union and other groups who are demanding implementation of the comprehensive mechanisms have also met the state government.

Asked, Tynsong said that the different pressure groups have expressed similar opinions that the proposed amendment should be more or less ILP-like mechanism.

“The state government has also agreed to incorporate the provisions of the ILP in the proposed amendment of the MRSSA, 2016 to ensure safety and security of the state and its people,” he informed.

The deputy chief minister further maintained that the proposed amendment will not mean only government mechanism. “We also want the traditional institutions to be part and parcel of the Act by ensuring that mechanisms at the grass root level are also put in place,” he said.