Shillong Oct 10: The resolution brought by Ardent Basaiawmoit on “to implement the inner line permit in the state in order to check the unabated inflow of outsiders in our state.” However, the resolution however, was defeated by voice vote.
Meghalaya Assembly voiced a resounding ‘no’ to I, implementation of ILP (inner line permit) regime with the government maintaining that it was formulating a “comprehensive, integrated and institutionalized” mechanism to check illegal immigration into the pre-dominantly tribal state.
Replying to discussions on a resolution sponsored by the Opposition seeking ILP, chief minister Mukul Sangma said his government would soon take up with the Centre a proposal for appropriate amendment to the Representation of People’s Act in order to ensure that outsiders in the state would not get voting rights.
He said the proposed Regulation of Landlords and Verification of Tenancy Bill was being drafted, which, once implemented would help regulate the stay of outsiders, especially the “floating population” in the state, including the industries and mining belts and thereby check influx and illegal immigration.
He said the bill would also be implemented in the non-scheduled areas in the state. Citing Census reports, the Chief Minister said the non-tribal population in Meghalaya has declined from 19.42 per cent during statehood to 13.65 per cent now, maintaining, however, that there was no room for complacency.
The chief minister further pointed out that being within the ambit of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution, the state had several existing laws which, with proper implementation would decisively check influx. He also highlighted the fact that non-tribals could not buy land in the state under the existing laws.
Observing that a “fear psychosis” has been infused into the minds of the people by pressure groups, who have been indulging in arson, the Chief Minister said that the government would ensure the rule of law in the state.
Government chief whip RV Lyngdoh reasoned that instead of the ILP, which was a British era “archaic legislation”, which also could not be implemented by the state as it is within the domain of the Centre, the state government was coming up with a bill which was compatible with the 21st Century.
Lyngdoh said the state should come up with a law, which was not detrimental to the economic development of the state.
Earlier, moving the resolution, Opposition member Ardent Basaiawmoit said that political parties should stop looking at migrants as vote banks and unite to implement ILP, which, according to him was the most suitable way to check influx and illegal immigration.
Ardent said, “I am very much disturb with the prevailing situation in our state, I am more disturbed with the manner in which this problem has been handled by the Government.”
He said, “I do not know exactly how long this struggle will continue to convince the Government to take final call on the implementation of ILP.”
He also said, “ I do not want the Government to reject this resolution only because influx and ILP is not included in the manifesto of the Congress party. I feel Government should be able to convince this august house that its opposition to the implementation of ILP is justified.”
Former Chief Minister and now Leader of Opposition, Donkupar Roy and several other Opposition members also argued in support of the resolution, which, however, was defeated by voice vote. (SP News)
