Meghalaya Legislative Assembly 2020 live updates | Several bills passed

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Meghalaya Legislative Assembly passes several bills

1. Meghalaya Appropriation (No. IV) Bill, 2020 passed.

2. Meghalaya Settlement of Arrears (under the state Taxation Acts) Bill, 2020 passed.

3. Meghalaya Minerals Cess (Amendment) Bill, 2020 passed.

4. Meghalaya Farmers' (Empowerment) Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2020 passed.

5. Meghalaya Right to Public Services Bill, 2020 passed.

6. St. Xavier's University Shillong Bill, 2020 passed.

Also Read: Meghalaya Govt. to construct steel bridge along Shillong By-pass, says Dy CM

While explaining as to why Umling was chosen to set up facilitation centre, the CM said:

Most of the lands along Umling are high steep mountains, land availability was also difficult, which was why it made logical sense to go for land located at a plainer area and the land belonging to Transport dept. was identified.

This move was cost-effective, time-effective and feasible keeping in mind the urgency of the matter.

Earlier, Rs 50 crore was sanctioned to set up the facilitation at Umling but the same was de-sanctioned recently and an amount of Rs 2.5 crore to set up prefabricated structures to carry out activities.

It is important to understand that scenario across the world has changed due of COVID-19, and the government requires every individual to register themselves before entering the state.

By default, we are initiating a registration process while conducting test on individuals entering the state.

"In the process of registration, we have created a mobile app for people who wants to enter the state. This is a comprehensive app that enables people to register, book hotels, caps and other facilities; this in turn makes the job of the officials easier to monitor the entry of people into our state.

We are already seeing that the screening process has already started," CM said.

Inner Line Permit: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said "We have seen the demand for ILP over the years and it was only in 2019 that we unanimously passed a resolution to urge the Centre to include Meghalaya under ILP, it was a historic resolution."

"Post-resolution being forwarded to the centre, we had met several central leaders and the Centre is still examining the matter, we have received any clear direction," he said.

Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) Amendment: The CM said that the amended bill was forwarded to the Governor.

"When the new governor came in, it took time for him to study the bill and had recently sent the file back to the government with suggestions. We are currently examining the suggestions sent by the governor. The process has already started.

Because of COVID, without the revised MRSSA, we are however, implementing the norms in an indirect manner," he said.

"We have taken multiple steps to achieve this goal without infringing into the fundamental rights of the people.

We have to strike a balance to ensure that genuine citizens of the country do not suffer," he said.

Efforts are on to ensure that permanent site comes up at Umling.

Also Read: Centre still examining ILP for Meghalaya, says CM Conrad Sangma

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma replies: The Government has not stopped the construction of the entry point.

"The work for construction of facilitation centre at Umling is scheduled to be completed by November 2020."

The CM assured that the government is committed to ensure that the entry and exit points come up and all the district task forces are notified.

"Umling facilitation centre, which will be completed by this month, will also serve as the COVID screening centre.

We have designated officials from the Police, Tourism and Health department as per Rule 8 of MRSSA to take charge of the centre", the CM said.

As far as entry and exit point at the Mendipathar Railway station, it will be completed by December 2020 and the land acquisition process is on.

So far, the government has identified 24 out of 41 locations, under phase I, and these locations have been identified to set up entry and exit point.

For West Khasi Hills, the land acquisition completed and the Tourism department has taken over the land.

In West Jaintia Hills, the land at Khanduli has been identified and land acquisition is nearly completed.

In East Jaintia Hills, five locations have been identified while in West Garo Hills, four locations identified, in South West Garo Hills, three locations identified and in North Garo Hills, seven locations have been identified.

Also Read: Govt. has not stopped construction of entry-exit points at Umling, Ri-bhoi district, says Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma

Congress MLA PT Sawkmie: We are waiting as to when the entry-exit points will be functioning in our state.

"Focus on Umling side in Ri-Bhoi is important because the flow is more in that side.

We also need to focus on Mendipathar and Jaintia Hills to check the illegal immigration coming from Bangladesh side.

Govt. should fix responsibility to a dedicated department to maintain the entry and exit point.

Decide on the kind of actions to be taken, if there's any detection of influx and illegal infiltration at the facilitation centres."

He urged the Chief Minister to meet the Governor and to brief him on Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) as this is a strong act and it requires the Governor's assent.

"We also require cooperation from the respective Dorbar Shnong (s)."

Congress MLA Kimfa S Marbaniang: Government has not been able to impress the Centre on the need for ILP.

Implementation of Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) yet to be fully implemented, he said.

Umroi MLA George B Lyngdoh: Passing of Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) in 2016 was an attempt to protect the locals.

What is the status of ILP?

What is the mind of the union govt pertaining to the resolution that we had passed?

When would the inclusion of state under ILP fructify?

Congress MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh: We need supervising permit to screen individuals coming to our state, and this requires a large area to set up a permanent facilitation centre.

Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem raises short duration discussion on the construction of entry-exit points in the state.

Mayralborn Syiem

Mayralborn Lyngdoh: I want assurance from the govt. on setting up of permanent entry-exit facilitation centre at Umling and other sites across the state, to check influx and illegal immigrants.

Lyngdoh also demanded the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to protect the indigenous communities of Meghalaya.

"Give us ILP because this is important for us," he said.

Meghalaya Border Area Development Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui: The department will soon be releasing funds for the Inter-State Border Area Development Programme (ISBADP) for developmental projects along the inter-State border.

In a reply to a question raised by Congress MLA, Mayralborn Syiem, Rymbui said: The Government will examine the appointment of Border Area Development Officer in Ri-Bhoi district. The fund, which has been sanctioned since the conceptualisation of the Border Area Development Programme (ISBADP) in 2011-2012 is 39.55 crore.

Rymbui

Also Read: Funds for state border development to be released soon, says Meghalaya minister Rymbui

Congress legislator Himalaya Shangpliang moves Zero Hour notice on the plight of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) teachers.

HM Shangpliang

Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong said that the proposal for re-developing Barik Point is at the conceptualisation stage.

Prestone Tynsong

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma: A total amount of Rs 5.45 crore has been spent for COVID-19 expenses from the District Mineral Fund.

CM Conrad Sangma

Assembly updates: Total amount of funds released under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) to various districts in the state in 2019-20 is Rs 14,17,45,288 and in 2020-21, it was Rs 10,53,20,097.