SHILLONG, March 25 — Only 11 tribes belonging to the State of Meghalaya will be eligible to buy land in the State once the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971 is amended, Chief Minister DD Lapang said today.
Describing the proposed amendment as “high sensitive” and “debatable”, Lapang informed the Meghalaya assembly that it is the intention of the government to prune the number of tribes eligible to buy land in the State from the present 54 to only 11.
Under the proposed amendment only the Khasi, Jaintia and Garos and also the indigenous Hmar, Baite, Karbi, Lalung (Tiwa), Rabha, Hajong, Bodo and Koch, who are actually residents and have present interest in the State of Meghalaya, will be permitted to acquire land in the State.
Lapang, however, said that public opinion and suggestions are being elected before the matter is finalised. “We will also take the Opposition into confidence,” he added. BJP member TH Rangad demanded that the list should be further curtailed so that only genuine tribals belonging to the State can buy or acquire land in the State. He sought provisions in the act enabling permanent non-tribal residents in the State to hold land.
The more than a dozen pending corruption cases in various state government departments may be closed without any investigation. The indication came from Chief Minister Lapang during Question Hour today. He informed the House that the request of the State government made on December 7, 2000, to the Centre to ask the CBI to investigate the cases has been rejected in June 2001.
The State government is awaiting response from the Centre to its reminders on September 26, 2001 and December 16, 2002, the Chief Minister revealed.