SHILLONG : Union Home Minister Amit Shah has told a United Democratic Party (UDP) delegation that Meghalaya may have to address two or three points in its proposed amendment to the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security (Amendment) Bill, 2020, before the Centre can consider clearing it.
The issue came up during a meeting between Shah and a UDP delegation led by Cabinet Minister Lahkmen Rymbui in New Delhi.
Rymbui said the MRSS Amendment Bill has been pending after being passed by the Meghalaya Assembly and later referred by the Governor to the Union Home Ministry. “We do not yet know what those points are until they are sent here. Once we receive them, we will know what those points are and we will discuss them,” Rymbui said.
The delegation also raised the demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya.
Rymbui said the existing safeguards under the Sixth Schedule and the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act were no longer enough to deal with the changes taking place in the state. “We have discussed the ILP resolution. He said this has to be studied as it involves different states. As you know, we are not isolated,” he said.
The UDP delegation also took up the demand for including Khasi and Garo in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Rymbui said Shah told them that the process was being considered and asked the state to remain patient.
Coal mining was another issue discussed during the meeting. The UDP sought changes to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, citing Meghalaya’s land ownership system. Rymbui said the Centre was examining the matter through a committee.
The delegation also raised the relocation of the Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong, with the state seeking defence land for the purpose.
The recognition of indigenous faiths, including Niam Khasi and Niamtre, was also discussed. The UDP sought changes to the existing law so followers of traditional faiths can receive benefits available to recognised minority communities.
Other matters raised during the meeting included uranium mining, support for North Eastern Hill University, special allocation for Eklavya Model Residential Schools and road connectivity along the India-Bangladesh border.
The meeting covered several of Meghalaya’s long-pending demands, with the UDP seeking movement from the Centre on issues that have remained unresolved for years.
