Investment Promotion & Facilitation Act does not contradict any provisions of Meghalaya Transfer of Land Act : CM Sangma

Shillong, Dec 18 (FN Agency) Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday said the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion & Facilitation (MSIPF), Act, 2024 does not contradict any provisions of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971.The Chief Minister was reacting to the concerns by opposition Voice of the People Party and other pressure groups over the state cabinet’s recent amendment to MSIPF, Act, 2024 which extended the land lease period for investors and also the decision to buy and allot land through Investment Meghalaya Agency (IMA) headed by the Chief Minister.Clearing up their concerns, Sangma said the MSIPF, Act, 2024 was enacted to enhance business ecosystem and foster economic growth and employment opportunities through the establishment of IMA.“This concept (IMA) allows for a single portal where investors can apply without having to visit multiple departments in person. Permissions will be granted in a timely manner, and procedures will be followed efficiently,” Sangma explained.

During the recent cabinet meeting, he said the matter was thoroughly discussed since it pertains to land, which is a touchy subject among the indigenous tribes.“We carefully reviewed every provision in the cabinet memo, which led to our decision. Unfortunately, this discussion was misrepresented in various news articles,” the Chief Minister informed.He said the MSIPF Act, 2024 allows the IMA to hold land bank and buy and lease land to private investors in a similar manner like the Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation or Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation MTDC.Sangma said private investors will have to obtain necessary permissions from the respective Autonomous District Councils.

Under the Meghalaya Transfer of Land Regulation Act, no land in Meghalaya shall be transferred by a tribal to a non-tribal or by a non-tribal to another non-tribal except with the previous sanction of the competent authority.Non-tribals can buy land except in a small patch in Shillong called the European Ward, which is saturated.Noting that investments is needed to achieve a $10 billion economy and create 5,00,000 jobs, Sangma said, “We require the private sector to establish large hotels, pharmaceutical industries, IT sector industries and to focus more on green projects.”“I am not referring to projects that may not be environmentally friendly but rather to new technology-based industries that can grow and provide significant employment opportunities. Food processing is beneficial for our farmers, the world and our entrepreneurs. Hence, we established what we call the Invest Meghalaya Agency,” he further said.