Alienation of tribal land through IMA does not arise: Paul Lyngdoh
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Monday asked those criticizing the Meghalaya Economics and Investment Promotion Policy (MEIPP) to suggest alternatives to the government’s decision to create land banks for developmental activities.
His statement came as a reaction to the opposition against the government’s decision to amend the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion Facilitation Act, which seeks to allow the Investment Meghalaya Agency (IMA) to buy land and provide the same to investors.
“If you say no (to the government’s policy) so what is the alternative to your no? Come forward and show us your draft. If it is much better than our policy, we may go with it,” Lyngdoh told reporters.
Stating that MEIPP is a policy, which has been approved and passed by the state Assembly, he said, “So the creation of these land banks for the purpose of developmental activities is an offshoot of policy.”
Lyngdoh also assured, “At the same time, if there is need to fine tune (the policy), I feel that can always be done because I believe in the saying that : that the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. So we can always improve the policy.”
On the proposal for need to consult with stakeholders, the minister said, “That may also will help as nothing is final because even the Constitution of India, which is considered to be the longest in the world, has been amended more than 100 times – so there is nothing final in governance. That is why when it comes to law making, there is no full stop, there are only comas.”
Asked on the apprehension against alienation of tribal land, Lyngdoh said, “If you go through MEIPP, there is this part where it is related to green economy, reservation of jobs for locals but to say there is outright alienation of land (is not right). The concept here is that the government is the owner of the land and the same land is being leased to corporate entities. When we say companies, I feel it is high time that our people should come together and form a company. Where is the difficulty? We have come to a stage where our people are not only job seekers but are also job givers. So why not we get 500 – 1000 tribal entreprenuers from Meghalaya to form their own company and lease these lands as per the policy of the government.”
Citing an example where there is a New Shillong Township Agency and the MIDC, MTDC buy lands but the land remains as an asset of the government, the minister said, “The question of this land to be alienated does not arise.”
“Projects of tourism department like Polo Orchid, Jivas in Sohra – all these are leased to private entreprenuers but ownership stays with the government, so I feel this is one part people are confused. Therefore, if they want to give suggestions, they should come forward. Come and give suggestions what can be done if this policy according to you is not right,” he stated further.
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