Leader of Opposition, Dr. Mukul Sangma today said that the MDA government was not serious enough even after a resolution was passed to demand Inner Line Permit (ILP) and said it lied to the people of the State.
“The NGOs are waking up the government from their slumber. They should not lie to us, if they don’t do it; it’s lying to us in the floor of the House. Promising something they can’t do is lying,” the Leader of Opposition speaking to reporters after the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meet said.
Dr Sangma demanded that the State government should immediately prevail upon the Centre to implement ILP. “One year has passed and Christmas is back and we had to remind the state government for their non seriousness on taking up the ILP with the centre,” he stated.
Crediting the Congress government for passing the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, Dr Sangma said they knew that ILP alone would not solve the issue of influx and therefore they came up with the Act to give enough teeth to curb influx.
According to the opposition leader, the mandate of principal act has multifaceted provisions to take care of concerns of influx.
“It’s not just entry and exit point. We have long international border, therefore it is appropriate for us to understand what the ground reality is. We have border with Assam, we have other routes that will not be covered. The act has provisions for that. Tenants can’t stay without providing documents. They must provide details indicating their credentials whether for business or residence. These measures designed in a way that involves local traditional heads,” he said.
He also said that he is sure that Chief Minister has not read the MRSSA and that the State government tried to delay implementation of the principal act even as he questioned whether the amendment to the Act was by “design, action or default.”
The opposition leader also informed that the Congress will meet the Governor to find out the status of amendment of MRSSA.
Dr. Sangma also said that there was no need for an all-party delegation to go to Delhi to urge the centre to demand ILP.
“The ILP resolution itself represents the 60 members of the House,” he maintained.
