SHILLONG, Dec 17 ? The Meghalaya Government is open to the proposal for suitable amendments to the Land Transfer Act in order to facilitate real estate transaction among the indigenous non-tribal residents of the State. Stating that the interests of the permanent non-tribal residents cannot be ?sidelined,? Chief Minister DD Lapang urged the members of the Legislative Assembly, NGOs and political parties to come forward with suggestions for amending the Act.
The existing Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act of 1971 restricts sale or transfer of immovabe properties among non-tribals, except in few pockets of the State. Lapang, while admitting that justice needs to be meted out to the permanent non-tribal residents, who form a sizeable part of the electorate of the State, however, said his government could not give any commitment on amending the Land Transfer Act at this stage.
?The question of land being sensitive, the government will seek public opinion on the issue,? the Chief Minister told the house assuring that the matter would be taken up for consideration in the Cabinet. Introducing a motion on the issue, BJP member AL Hek reminded the house that along with the indigenous tribal communities, the non-tribal community too had taken active part in the hill State movement. The interest of those non-tribals, who have been residing in the State for generations and have contributed to the overall growth of the State has to be protected,? he said.
Observing that the presence of non-tribals in Meghalaya has a ?definite historical reason,? Ardhendu Choudhury of the NCP said facilitation of transfer of land among permanent non-tribal residents of the State was a long-standing grievance of the latter. Terming the restriction on transfer of land among non-tribal settlers as ?unjustified and unreasonable,? he pointed out that the tribal citizens of Meghalaya have no second home to fall upon.
?Such amendment will not alter the demographic equation of the State and there is no possibility of alienation of any further tribal land. It will instead usher in a new understanding and harmony in Meghalaya and dispense justice which has long been denied to the permanent non-tribals,? he emphasised. Choudhury recalled that the then UMPDF Government in the State had passed an amendment in 1981 allowing transfer of land among non-tribals.
However, the Central Government returned the Bill instructing the State Government to modify it in regard to the clause restoring the land to the tribals in the event of the sale of such land in duress with payment of 25 per cent only or less of the then prevailing price of the land. The Centre did not agree to 1952 as the qualifying year for permanent non-tribal settlers in the state and had suggested 1972 or after as the cut-off year. ?But the Bill has not been modified as desired by the Central Government as yet,? Choudhury said.
?In a democracy the wishes of the minority get due consideration from majority. Only the magnanimity on part of the majority community can bring about justice in the true spirit of democracy,? he emphasised. Opposition member EK Sangma of the NCP, taking in the discussion, urged the government to first set a on for identification of permanent non-tribal settlers and then bring about suitable amendments to the Act facilitating transfer of land among the non-tribals throughout the State.
Revenue, Minister Dr FA Khonglam informed the house that the government was considering the pros and cons amending the Act, while expressing optimism that a Bill in this regard would be introduced in the Assembly in the near future. The Government is examining the matter and will endeavour towards ensuring peaceful co-existence of all communities in the State,? he said.