CM TAKES UP ILP, FCRA AND LANGUAGE STATUS ISSUES WITH UNION HOME MINISTER
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister and Chairman of the North Eastern Council (NEC) Shri Amit Shah, highlighting several key issues concerning the state and seeking the intervention of the Government of India.
The memorandum was presented during the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council held in Shillong.
Among the major concerns raised was the issue of illegal immigration into Meghalaya. The Chief Minister urged the Centre to establish a robust and effective mechanism to regulate and check illegal immigration, stating that measures such as the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) and the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), for which the State Assembly has already passed resolutions, could serve as viable mechanisms to address the issue.
The state government also renewed its demand for the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The memorandum stressed that such recognition would help preserve, promote and strengthen the linguistic and cultural identity of the indigenous communities of Meghalaya.
On the proposed amendments to the Sixth Schedule, the Chief Minister requested the Government of India to undertake extensive consultations with all concerned states before introducing any changes. He emphasized that any amendment should further strengthen the constitutional safeguards and governance mechanisms for tribal communities across the North East and other Sixth Schedule areas.
The memorandum also flagged concerns raised by various organizations regarding certain amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). The state government urged the Centre to consider the apprehensions of stakeholders, particularly provisions that could impact the functioning and assets of organizations receiving foreign contributions.
Sangma thanked the Union Home Minister for giving a patient hearing to the state's concerns and expressed optimism that the Centre would positively consider the issues raised in the memorandum.
