The Meghalaya government has spent a total of Rs 576.79 crore for land acquisition under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act 2013 for the Western Shillong Bypass project.
The compensation amount includes Rs 121.40 crore for Ri-Bhoi and Rs 455.39 crore for East Khasi Hills.
During question hour in the Meghalaya Assembly today, leader of the opposition Dr Mukul Sangma sought clarification on whether the acquisition process adhered to Section 6 of the act. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who holds the Public Works Department (Roads) portfolio, assured the house that all legal procedures were followed and that notifications were published in both English and local languages to ensure transparency.
Dr Sangma further questioned whether the acquisition process identified and supported families affected under Sections 28, 29 and 31 of the act, which pertain to rehabilitation and resettlement. Tynsong confirmed that due diligence was carried out and compensation was provided to all entitled beneficiaries. However, he acknowledged that disputes over land ownership between clans and individuals have delayed the resolution of certain claims.
Dr Sangma raised concerns about dissatisfaction among these affected individuals, pointing out that families without direct land ownership, who reside on community or clan-owned land, might be displaced without adequate protection. In response, Tynsong assured that the government is actively addressing emerging concerns, with the Deputy Commissioners from both districts working to resolve disputes.
Regarding the acquisition process under different legal frameworks, Dr Sangma questioned why the government was applying the National Highways (NH) Act instead of the RFCTLARR Act for acquiring additional land for National Highways projects. He argued that the latter provides better protection for Scheduled Tribes and vulnerable communities. Tynsong clarified that social impact assessments were not required under the NH Act for highway expansion as these projects involve widening existing roads rather than creating new ones. However, he assured that landowners were adequately compensated under the NH Act.
Raising a separate issue, opposition legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit of the Voice of the People Party (VPP) inquired about a complaint alleging misappropriation of compensation meant for landowners. He asked whether the government was aware of reports suggesting that certain individuals had claimed compensation on behalf of community landowners. Tynsong denied any official reports of misappropriation but acknowledged media reports about unauthorised deductions from compensation. He emphasised that compensation was directly transferred to beneficiaries and any grievances should be formally reported to the respective DCs.
Basaiawmoit also sought clarity on the government’s process of verifying land ownership, particularly in areas where land belongs to clans or community institutions. Dr Sangma echoed this concern, stating that improper determination of ownership could lead to repeated conflicts in future projects. Tynsong responded that the government follows a notification-based process under the act, providing opportunities for stakeholders to raise claims or objections. However, he admitted that some disputes emerged only after compensation was released.
Despite challenges, Tynsong assured the Assembly that the government remains committed to resolving pending issues and ensuring fair compensation to all rightful landowners. He reiterated that 97.5 percent of the land for the Western Shillong Bypass has already been acquired, with only minor disputes remaining, which the administration is working to resolve.
