Meghalaya govt. likely to place draft amendment to Resident Safety Act in public domain
SHILLONG | April 30, 2019:
The National People Party (NPP) led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) Government is contemplating to put the proposed draft amendment to the Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act, 2016 in the public domain.
"We are contemplating to seek the views of the various concerned stake holders on the proposed draft amendment. The drafting of the proposed draft amendment is likely to be completed by next week," Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong informed here today.
He said that once the drafting of the proposed amendment is completed, they will put it in the public domain to get the views and suggestions of stakeholders.
According to Tynsong, the Government will be seeking the views of the Dorbar Shnong, Hima, Nokmas and other traditional bodies. "We will also seek the views of the various NGOs on the proposed draft amendment," Deputy Chief Minister said.
When asked if the Government would convene a meeting with the traditional bodies and NGOs to deliberate on the draft amendment, he said that if there is a necessity, the Government would definitely convene a meeting with representatives of both the traditional bodies and NGOs.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister said that the proposed draft amendment would be put before the Cabinet after incorporating the views and suggestions of the various stakeholders.
"We would like to see that the proposed amendment of the Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act, 2016 manages to bring measures which would address the core issues of influx and illegal immigration. It would bring in a system to regulate the entrance of people from outside the State," Deputy Chief Minister added.
Earlier, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma had not ruled out the possibilities of coming out with the ordinance to approve the proposed amendment of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016.
"The Cabinet will discuss on the proposed amendment of the existing Act. Once the Cabinet meets to discuss the issue then we will take a call if there a need to come up with an ordinance," Chief Minister had stated.
Deputy Chief Minister had earlier stated that ILP is not the only mechanism to tackle influx. He reiterated that the government is committed to bring a legislation which is more stringent.
"We should understand that ILP is only a name. I am of the view that the name can be anything. But what the NGOs should see on the provisions which are incorporated in the Act," Tynsong had stated.
