Editor,
The NPP led-government along with its coalition partners have perpetuated an initiative to bring investment through the land acquisition model by way of buying community land in productive areas of the State.
For readers, it is to be understood that the land tenure system in the State is practically based on tribal customary rights and practices. It is for this reason that in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills the land tenure system is divided into Hima, Raid and Shnong (village) which all come under the jurisdiction of the Autonomous District Councils.
However, what needs to be redressed is the selling away of pieces of land along the Assam border by a section of greedy headmen which had been the reason leading to a series of social problems. The unused community land need to be conserved. However, instead of selling, it could be leased out since most lands as in Jaintia Hills have either been bought or leased out to many cement factories.
It is agreed that unproductive firms have been operating in Jaintia Hills and in Ri-Bhoi while the number of employment opportunities remains limited. If we are looking for investment the government should call in automobile firms, IT firms, aeronautical manufacturing firms etc and not those who want to come and exploit the mineral resources of the State with a caveat that local employable people with skills should be given preference.
Dominic S. Wankhar
Via e-mail
