Shillong, March 13: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today clarified that Meghalaya Investment Promotion Authority’s( MIPA) job will only be to facilitate, not to engage in land acquisition.
“There was a discussion about a land bank, which we had proposed, as certain investors may require land to be leased to them. Initially, we had included the provision for MIPA to manage a land bank and lease land to investors under the Land Transfer Act. However, due to public concerns, we have decided to exclude MIPA entirely from land acquisition and land bank creation,” he said.
Clarifying MIPA’s revised role, the Chief Minister stated, “MIPA will now function solely as a policy and facilitation agency. It will receive and process applications, sending them to the relevant departments, with coordination through my office. Its role will be strictly to facilitate, not to engage in land acquisition.”
He reassured the public on Thursday that the overall situation in the state remains well under control. Addressing the media, he reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency and strict adherence to legal procedures while acknowledging public apprehension about recent developments.
“The law and order situation is completely under control. While there may be occasional incidents, they will be thoroughly investigated. Aside from these incidents, the overall situation is stable, and there is no need for undue concern. We will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure it stays under control,” he stated.
Regarding concerns about land acquisition, Sangma clarified that the discussions were not limited to the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) or other NGOs that recently met with him. “It’s not just about the KSU or other NGOs. I mentioned them because they met with me two days ago, but prior to that, many other organizations, individuals, and ruling party MLAs have also raised the issue during our discussions. I understand this has become a concern for the public,” he said. He emphasized that there was no intention to bypass land acquisition laws, adding, “We’ve been very clear on this matter, but because it’s a critical issue, we thought it necessary to amend the laws.”
The Chief Minister outlined key amendments, assuring that the provisions of the Land Transfer Act and regulations set by district councils would continue to apply, along with provisions for youth employment. “These provisions are fundamental, but to reassure the public, we thought it best to incorporate them into the principal act itself to demonstrate our commitment and sincerity on this matter,” he said.
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