Shillong, August 26: The Meghalaya Government and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Wednesday agreed to constitute a fact-finding committee to examine allegations of procedural lapses and other concerns surrounding the public hearing for the proposed Shree Cement project.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma held a meeting with KSU leaders and senior government officials to discuss five key issues raised by the union following the recent agitation.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Sangma described the discussions as positive and said the Government had clarified most of the concerns raised by the KSU.
On the Shree Cement public hearing, the KSU had sought its cancellation, citing alleged procedural irregularities, restrictions on public participation, inadequate stakeholder consultation and environmental concerns.
Sangma said the Government had agreed to constitute a fact-finding committee headed by a senior official independent of the district administration. The committee will examine the procedure followed during the hearing, stakeholder participation and the environmental concerns raised by the KSU.
“Until the fact-finding committee completes its inquiry and submits its report, the matter will remain in status quo. The company will be asked to stop all construction and other activities,” Sangma said.
MRSSA implementation to be accelerated
On implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016, the Chief Minister said the registration of tenants and people entering the State would be accelerated through technology.
He said the Government was developing a mobile application that would facilitate facial scanning, document verification and uploading of basic information to a centralised database.
Umling facilitation centre
Regarding the facilitation centre at Umling, Sangma clarified that the existing building was not being converted exclusively into a food court.
He said the first section, covering around 1,000 square feet, would function as a facilitation centre, with scope for expansion.
A joint inspection by officials of the district administration and KSU representatives will be conducted, while the Government expects the centre to become operational before Christmas.
Land is yet to be identified for similar facilitation centres at Ratacherra and Athiabari.
Migrant workers’ registration law
The third issue discussed was the Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety and Security of Migrant Workers) Act, 2020.
Sangma said amendments had been approved to remove ambiguities in the rules, particularly regarding the authority of Labour Department officials to inspect establishments.
The revised provisions will also clarify the police-verification process. Verification can either be obtained from the Superintendent of Police of the migrant worker’s home district or conducted locally through the nationwide Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS).
Training and orientation of the officials concerned are expected to be completed within about a month, after which implementation will begin.
KSU to meet Union Health Minister on NEIGRIHMS recruitment
On recruitment at NEIGRIHMS, Sangma said the institution did not fall under the Meghalaya Government.
However, he said he had already raised the issue with the Union Health Minister and would facilitate a meeting between KSU representatives and the minister.
The State Government would also provide logistical support, including examination centres, computer laboratories and other facilities required for online recruitment tests.
Recruitment reforms and MPSC advertisements
The fifth issue concerned transparency in government recruitment.
Sangma said interviews for Grade-IV posts had already been abolished. Interviews for non-technical Grade-III posts advertised from January 1, 2027, would also be discontinued.
He said standard operating procedures for District Selection Committees had been approved and would subsequently be adopted by other recruitment boards.
Of the 23 reforms recommended for the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC), 19 have already been implemented, while four remain under consideration.
The KSU also raised concerns over MPSC advertisements being open to applicants from across the country.
Sangma said the Government agreed with the union’s concern but needed to identify a legally sustainable mechanism that could withstand judicial scrutiny. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong is expected to hold further discussions on the issue next week.
The Chief Minister said the KSU had originally submitted 20 demands but had selected five for discussion at Wednesday’s meeting.
The remaining 15 demands will be taken up in subsequent discussions.
“The dialogue will continue. The Government is open to suggestions and will consider proposals that are practical and beneficial to the people of the State,” Sangma said.
