Meghalaya: Regional Committees on border issues hold first meeting in Shillong
The three regional committees, formed to study the interstate boundary issues with Assam, met on Monday and decided to conduct field visits and examine the ground situation.
The three regional committees, formed to study the interstate boundary issues with Assam, met on Monday and decided to conduct field visits and examine the ground situation.
The inspections would be followed by a compilation of a report, which would be submitted to the Chief Minister and also shared with Assam.
The three committees - one each for West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi and East & West Jaintia Hills districts, are headed by cabinet ministers with MLAs, MDCs and other stakeholders as members.
There are 12 areas of differences and these include -- Upper Tarabari, Gizang Reserve Forest, Hahim area, Langpih area, Bordwar area, Nongwah Mawtamur area, Pilangkata Khanapara area, Deshdemoria area, Khanduli area, Umkhyrni Psiar area, Areas of Block I and Block II and Ratacherra area.
West Khasi Hills is under the chairpersonship of PHE minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Brolding Nongsiej, Ri Bhoi under Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and Fisheries Minister Dasakhiatbha Lamare while East and West Jaintia Hills will come under Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui and Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar.
According to Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, the team will inspect the areas of differences falling under his jurisdiction on August 4, a report of which will be compiled and submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
The report is expected to be compiled by August 5, so that it can be shared with Assam Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during the second round of official talks on border issues at Guwahati on August 6.
"We will need to take everyone on board - the headmen, Himas and district councils because we will need historical facts and traditional heads have better records," Tongkhar said.
Reacting to a query, the PHE minister said at present, there is no other way to resolve this issue except for the "give and take" policy even as he urged Assam to be more lenient given the fact that it is a parent state.
"Assam should not think that they are giving away land to foreigners but their own children," he said.
Speaking about suggestions that could be adopted post-resolution, Tongkhar stressed the need to explore the possibilities of reducing the stamp duty fee stating that the rate is too high for people to register their land.
"The stamp duty fee is too high and because of this, people are hesitant to register their lands. If we can reduce the fee, it would encourage people to come forward for land registration," he said.
The decision to form the three regional committees was taken following the recent meetings on border issues with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Shillong.
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