Shillong, March 11: Meghalaya Government has proposed to bring in major amendments to the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion & Facilitation (MSIPF) Act, 2024 to ensure it doesn’t undermine the interest and rights of the indigenous population of the State.

The proposed amendments were revealed following a crucial meeting between Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma with the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong on Tuesday, to address concerns raised on the Act by the union.

This Act, enacted in March 2024, aims to promote and facilitate investments in Meghalaya.
However, KSU has expressed strong opposition to the Act in its current form, arguing that it will dilute the provision of ‘The Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971’ and bypass the autonomous district councils.

Earlier on Tuesday, the KSU held a protest rally, marching towards the Assembly premises and demanding legislators to reject the Act outright.

Following the protest, CM Sangma met with the representatives of the union and clarified the government’s stance and outlined proposed amendments intended to address key public concerns.

These amendments include: (i) ensuring the Act does not dilute any provision of The Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971; (ii) guarantee the Act will not bypass any provision or undermine the authority of the Autonomous District Councils; (iii) safeguard local employment opportunities by reserving 90 percent jobs in the non-managerial position and 50 percent jobs in managerial position for locals.

The chief minister informed that the proposed amendments address the concerns of the citizens and ensures that the Act benefits the state, while protecting the interest of the people.

He further said the government will continue to engage with organisation, including traditional bodies and stakeholders to ensure that this Act will be in the interest of the people and ensure full protection of the rights of the indigenous people.

“As a government, we are committed towards the interest of our people. Our intention is to ensure that through this investment Act, we are able to attract investments, which will facilitate in creation of job opportunities for our people as well as ensure growth and development of the state,” the chief minister affirmed.

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