The Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People (FKJGP) has accused Chief Minister Conrad Sangma of playing vote bank politics by shielding migrants and misleading the citizens by claiming that there is no work permit system in the state.
Sangma had yesterday stated that Meghalaya does not have a work permit system for labourers from outside the state except for the mandatory registration by the Labour Department.
The FKJGP today contested the Chief Minister’s statement stating that as the head of the state he was not aware that the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 (Work Permit) is already in place and implemented since July 28, 2011.
FKJGP president Dundee C Khongsit stated that as the head of the state he is expected to work for the interest of the people but instead chose to dismiss the existence of the act. He said the organisation is apprehensive if the demand for implementation of the inner line permit and inclusion of the Khasi language in Eighth Schedule of the Constitution would also be left in the backburner.
Khongsit also questioned the functions of the infiltration check gate in the state and stated that these have become setups to fill the pockets of certain people and appointment of labour inspectors is a waste of the state’s exchequer.
He further said that the four cases registered against pressure groups for carrying out checks will not deter or threaten them as they will continue to prevent illegal influx into the state.
Khongsit said all units of the FKJGP have been activated to carry on with work permit checks.