SHILLONG/NEW DELHI: A delegation of United Democratic Party (UDP) MLAs from Meghalaya recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to discuss several critical issues impacting the state.
Cabinet Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, speaking to the media, explained that the urgent meeting was triggered by concerns over the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill 2026, which could pose significant challenges without proper clarification.
Rymbui expressed gratitude to the Home Minister for the prompt audience, during which Amit Shah reassured the delegation that, if enacted, the amended law would apply prospectively rather than retrospectively.
Shah further informed the UDP MLAs that the bill would be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for thorough stakeholder review and feedback, ensuring the public remains unaffected.
Beyond the FCRA, the delegation raised several long-standing state matters. On the pending Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) Amendment Bill, the Home Ministry instructed the State Government to address three specific points first, with the assurance that further steps would follow once those are resolved.
The delegation also discussed coal mining, noting that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban in 2014 severely impacted local livelihoods.
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Rymbui highlighted that Meghalaya’s coal deposits differ from those in other states, making open-cast mining impracticable for most private mine owners. The UDP requested an amendment to the MMDR Act, 1957, to accommodate local conditions and allow small landholders to resume mining. They proposed forming a special committee to examine the issue.
On the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, Shah expressed optimism, stating that the process is moving forward. Regarding the relocation of Harijan residents from Them Iew Mawlong, the UDP emphasized the State Government’s need for the land. Shah said discussions are underway with military authorities to use defense land for the relocation.
The UDP also championed the cause of Meghalaya’s estimated 6 to 7 lakh followers of indigenous faiths such as Niam Tre and Niam Khasi. Rymbui pointed out that these communities currently miss out on central government minority schemes.
The UDP requested that indigenous faiths be recognized as a minority, similar to the status granted to Jains in 2014. Shah promised a detailed review, acknowledging that such faiths exist in several states.
Regarding the demand for an Inner Line Permit (ILP), Shah said the proposal, approved by a state assembly resolution, is under review, as ILP rules differ across states. Rymbui stressed the need for additional legal safeguards to protect the indigenous community, even with the Sixth Schedule and the Land Transfer Act in place.
On environmental public hearings, Rymbui clarified that while these are forums for affected communities, the Environment Ministry may grant clearances if all physical hearings are fully exhausted.
Discussing infrastructure and trade, Rymbui noted that highway connectivity already extends to Mahendraganj, Bagmara, and Ranikor, and urged the central government to construct an additional highway along the international border to boost cross-border trade. The Home Minister promised to assess its feasibility.
Addressing higher education, the UDP highlighted the establishment of a new State University despite financial constraints and requested one-time central financial assistance for the project. On uranium mining, the party reiterated that government decisions must respect public sentiment.
(4FrontMedia news)
