Meghalaya Guv to raise ILP issue with Amit Shah: CM

By Lamphrang Nongspung

SHILLONG:

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday informed that Governor Satya Pal Malik will be going to Delhi post-December 17 to discuss the issue of Inner Line Permit (ILP) and MRSSA (Amendment) Bill, 2020 with the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah and other central leaders.

"He (Governor) will also be taking these issues with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) at his level. At the same time, the Governor (has) also asked the State Government to parallelly follow up this matter. We are hopeful that things will move forward," Sangma told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan after meeting the governor.

When asked whether the state delegation would be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss on ILP, Chief Minister informed that they will first wait since the governor will take up the matter at his level.

"We will see how things unfold and in the meantime, we are obviously in touch with the Central Government," he added.

When asked about the issues raised by the governor on the Meghalaya Residents' Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) (Amendment) Bill, 2020, he said that this meeting is not about seeking clarification on the amendment bill.

Stating that the governor hinted that the bill is doable and possible, the chief minister said the governor, however, felt that this matter still needs to be discussed with the Centre because there were certain concerns raised earlier that this bill could not go through.

"It is a positive message he has given to me and told that he will definitely do his best to discuss with the MHA and try to move this forward," Sangma stated.

ALSO READ:

Also Read: Meghalaya Congress legislator reacts to Assam MLA's statement on ILP

ENTRY POINT AT UMLING TO BE INAUGURATED ON DECEMBER 16

Meanwhile, the chief minister informed that he will be inaugurating the entry point at Umling in Ri Bhoi district on December 16.

"The entry point will be activated before tourism in the State opens up from December 16," he stated.

DIRECT FLIGHT FROM DELHI TO START FROM DECEMBER 21

Sangma further informed that the first direct flight from Delhi to Shillong will also start on December 21.

"The airlines have confirmed and we are hopeful that the flight will start on December 21. We will have another flight on December 23. We will then ensure that at least once or up to twice a week flight from Delhi to Shillong will be operational," he said.

To a question on whether it will be a direct flight since the ATR aircraft is a small flight, the chief minister clarified that it is a 72-seater flight which is bigger than the ATR.

(Edited by Ibankyntiew Mawrie)

ALSO WATCH: