Governor Satya Pal Malik said all the things CoMSO wanted to hear in their meeting here today.
The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) met with Malik to urge him to give his assent to the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (Amendment) Bill 2020.
According to CoMSO Chairman Robertjune Kharjahrin, the Governor told the visiting delegation that he would have signed the MRSSA Amendment Bill after it had been passed by the Assembly as he understands the aspirations of the indigenous people and is on the same page as the citizens of the state.
However, it was during the tenure of Malik’s predecessor, Tathagata Roy that the Amendment was passed by the Assembly and thus came to Roy for his assent. Roy sent back the bill with certain questions and, on receiving answers to these, forwarded the bill to the Union Home Ministry for comment on its legal standing.
Malik reportedly told CoMSO that he will take up the matter of the bill with the Union Home Ministry.
On the issue of the Inner Line Permit, which CoMSO also wants implemented in Meghalaya, the Governor made it clear that the matter lies solely with the central government, though he is willing to discuss the matter with New Delhi.
“As a governor who respects the citizens of the state, he will take up the issue with the Chief Minister,” Kharjahrin told reporters outside the gates of Governor’s House following the meeting. The CoMSO Chairman added that if Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma invites the Governor to travel together to New Delhi to raise the issue of ILP with the Centre, the Governor expressed his willingness to go along with the CM.
