Shillong, Mar 11: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today met with the Khasi Students Union (KSU), in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong, to address concerns raised on the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion & Facilitation Act, 2024.

This Act, enacted in March 2024, aims to promote and facilitate investments in Meghalaya. On the concerns raised by the citizens, the government has proposed amendments, which will ensure that the Act does not dilute the provision of The Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971, or bypass the district council.

The proposed amendments are :

(i) The proposed amendment will ensure that the Act will not dilute any provision of The Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971.

(ii) The proposed amendment will ensure that the Act does not bypass any provision of the Autonomous District Councils.

(iii) Safeguard local employment opportunities – 90 percent of jobs will be reserved in non-managerial positions and 50 percent in managerial positions.

The chief minister informed that the proposed amendments address the concerns of the citizens and ensure that the Act benefits the state while protecting the interest of the people.

He also said that the government will continue to engage with organizations, including traditional and stakeholders to ensure that this Act will be in the interest of the people and ensure full protection of the rights of the indigenous people.

“As a government, we are committed to the interest of our people. We intend to ensure that through this investment Act, we can attract investments, which will facilitate the creation of job opportunities for our people as well as ensure growth and development of the state,” the chief minister asserted.