The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has opposed the recent decision of the Meghalaya cabinet to approve amendment to the Meghalaya State Investment, Promotion and Facilitation Act Bill 2024 allowing the Invest Meghalaya Agency (IMA) to buy land as per the requirements of investment projects.
Specifically, the KSU has a problem with the provisions that deal with access to land.
Addressing a press conference at the Shillong Press Club here today KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah asked if this new decision will supersede the Land Transfer Act, which forbids the sale of land to non-indigenous people.
According to Thabah, it is not clear on what basis the government will give land to investors. “But what we understand is that the Meghalaya State Investment, Promotion and Facilitation Bill 2024 for establishment of the IMA is like bypassing the institutions of Dorbar Shnongs, Himas, Raids and even District Councils,” he added, while stating that the Land Transfer Act is meant to safeguard the land of Meghalaya’s indigenous tribes to ensure that more advanced peoples do not effect a land grab.
The KSU general secretary also said that it is often seen that when private companies come from outside the state the indigenous people rarely benefit in terms of employment.
He also referred to moves by a few states to ensure reservation of jobs in the private sector. “But in our state there is no such policy, which shows that if there are investors from outside Meghalaya they will only benefit someone else, never our youths seeking employment,” Thabah added.
The KSU wants clarification from the state government on the new bill and its cancellation if what has been reported of it is true.
