SHILLONG, OCT 30: The Social Organisations of Meghalaya Against Land Alienation (SOMALA) has demanded the state government to re-notify the notification issued on May 22, 1980, which empowered the deputy commissioner and sub-divisional officer as competent authority.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, SOMALA convener, W Anthony informed that the delegation of the group of organizations have met the chief minister Conrad K Sangma in his official residence and handed a petition regarding impending influx and how to contain it.

“The delegation has stressed the importance of re-notifying the notification issued on May 22, 1980, which empowered the deputy commissioner and sub-divisional officer as competent authority which is now outdated,” he said.

According to him, the said notification superseded the role of the district council as competent authority with a view to improve the performance of the competent authority.

“But the competent authority as notified is a complete failure for the past 40 years ie since 1980 as it has not performed its role in anyway. The dormant competent authority may be activated and re-notified in order to make it up to date and perform its task earnestly to check influx,” he said.

In case the government is not ready to notify the notification, Anthony however suggested that the notification may be withdrawn so that the power of the competent authority may be reverted to the district council which may delicate the power to the traditional institutions and headmen as well.